In the late 1890s Chicago could claim to be the bicycle center of the United States. The Chicago Bicycle Directory in 1895 states: "Two thirds of this country's output of bicycles and accessories comes from within a radius of 150 miles around Chicago, and the bulk of the trade is handled in the city proper."
By the teens, prices of American made bicycles had plummeted. Chicago-based Sears, Roebuck & Co. emerged as the dominant mail order company, followed by Rouse and Hazard, Montgomery Ward, Marshall Field, Mead and A.G. Spalding. Frederick Asher, in his article "Richard Warren Sears, Icon of Inspiration" (p. 12), writes: "In 1898 Richard Sears visited Ignaz Schwinn to negotiate a large order of bicycles. After settling on a price Sears ordered 50,000 bicycles. 'Hadn't you better make it 5,000, Mr. Sears?' 'You just go ahead and make the bicycles...We'll sell 'em.'"
My circa 1909 Peerless retains some lovely light green paint on the head tube and seat mast, contrasted with a blue-black that reminds one of old-time fountain pen ink. The rear wheel has its original green center stripe and armless Peerless coaster brake hub. The raised rib on the front fork is identical to that found on Mead bicycles of the same period.
By the teens, prices of American made bicycles had plummeted. Chicago-based Sears, Roebuck & Co. emerged as the dominant mail order company, followed by Rouse and Hazard, Montgomery Ward, Marshall Field, Mead and A.G. Spalding. Frederick Asher, in his article "Richard Warren Sears, Icon of Inspiration" (p. 12), writes: "In 1898 Richard Sears visited Ignaz Schwinn to negotiate a large order of bicycles. After settling on a price Sears ordered 50,000 bicycles. 'Hadn't you better make it 5,000, Mr. Sears?' 'You just go ahead and make the bicycles...We'll sell 'em.'"
My circa 1909 Peerless retains some lovely light green paint on the head tube and seat mast, contrasted with a blue-black that reminds one of old-time fountain pen ink. The rear wheel has its original green center stripe and armless Peerless coaster brake hub. The raised rib on the front fork is identical to that found on Mead bicycles of the same period.
1909 Sears Peerless ©Daniel Dahlquist