The renowned bike collector was not only astounded by the Zimmy, but also the fact that Fallon only wanted $300 for it - the $200 he paid, plus the shipping cost. Fallon immediately put it in a box and shipped it to Metz without telling him. Seth looked at the head badge and noticed it was a Zimmy - specifically a circa 1896 Zimmy pneumatic safety by Zimmerman Manufacturing Co.
One day an antiques dealer dropped off an old bike and wanted $100 for it, but Fallon gave him $200. Fallon said that Metz advertised for 25 years to find a “Zimmy” bicycle, but never did. Freehold, where Metz grew up, is also the home of Arthur Zimmerman (1869-1936), one of America’s first world bicycle champions. One of his favorite bike stories involves Metz and is a testament to the friendship they had. “I call Dave the godfather of Copake bike auctions.” “Metz was one in a million and absolutely one of the best men I’ve ever met,” Fallon said. Thus began a lasting mentoring and friendship, and the auctions flourished under his guidance. and kept his “spectacular collection” of antique and rare bicycles.įallon said Metz told him that if he wanted to specialize in bicycle auctions, he would help him. He had owned and operated the Metz Bicycle Museum in Freehold, New Jersey, where he archived the history of bicycling in the U.S. One of those buyers was the late David Metz, who was a force in the bicycle world. He put them on the auction block last and asked the buyers if they would attend an auction that only included bicycles. Fallon learned that there was a lot of interest in those antique models. That fortuitous opportunity arrived when Copake got an estate that included three high-wheel bikes. Established in 1952, it has been the longest running auction house in Columbia County for almost 70 years.įallon said he had always admired people who had specialty auctions and thought he’d like to do that as well, if he ever got the chance. He bought Copake Auction in 1985, and was joined by one of his sons, Seth, as co-owner in 1995. “I was the kind of kid who liked history and objects, and I’ve always loved antiques,” Fallon said.
The camaraderie draws collectors and bicycle enthusiasts from all over the United States, as well as Canada, China, Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Australia, England, Germany, Italy, and many other countries to buy, sell and talk bikes.Ĭirca 1896 Wolff American sociable "duplex" tandem, $3,300. Auction-goers also fill up all the local motels and restaurants, which is a plus for the local economy. These two days are more than just about selling bikes, parts and related items and memorabilia including posters, photos and postcards - Copake makes them fun and informative fair-type gatherings that involve the whole community. The yearly April auctions have grown into two-day events, with swap meets and a scenic 10-mile bicycle ride held the day before the sales. Although many of these bikes sell for tens of thousands of dollars, Copake also consigns a large amount that sell in the $50-$500 range, so there is something for everyone interested in the hobby. Since 1991, the auction house in Copake, New York, has sold thousands of antique bicycles including the rarest and best found anywhere in the world, from some of the best world-class collections. “I think I can brag that I’ve sold more antique bikes than anyone else in the world.” From the David Metz Museum $42,120.Īlthough this jovial antiques dealer humbly doesn’t see himself as an expert, even though he can rattle off the history of biking and the key developments and people involved with ease in conversation, nor readily agree that collectors obviously trust and respect him - only that he hopes that’s the case - he will at least cop to one point of pride: reference library, he saw this machine in one of the bound volumes, and remembers it as being created in a mid-west college for hearing impaired students. Mike said that many years ago when they were dispersing the Pope Manufacturing Co.
Mike Fallon, right, and his son, Seth, with the unique and rare (possibly only one in the world) high wheel with leading and trailing dual steering.