1894 STEAM MOTORCYCLE TO BE AUCTIONED IN US

Rarely seen, and even more rarely seen for sale, the Roper dates from 1894 and was the creation of Sylvester Roper of Massachusetts, USA. Before he turned his mechanical skills to motorcycles, Roper apparently created sewing and knitting machines, before turning his attention to steam-powered vehicles in the 1860s. Roper is believed to have built ten vehicles overall before his death in 1896, two of which were 'motorcycles', with the steam bike on offer at Vegas in January representing his last motorcycle and last mechanical creation.

One of the 'unsung heroes' of the early horseless carriage age, Roper's anonymity was put down to him often selling or loaning his creations to others who capitalised on them more effectively. The 1894 steam motorcycle is based around a Columbia brand pushbike, to which Roper fitted a compact boiler, burner, grate and steam engine, which drove the rear wheel from the right hand side. A water tank sat over the boiler, while the smoke vent from the boiler could be positioned at different angles.

Roper is alleged to have used his steam motorcycle regularly, riding the seven miles to his steamboat moored at the Boston Yacht Club, then using the coals from the motorcycle's burner to power his steamboat! Reports also have Roper riding the motorcycle in the months leading up to his death, setting time and lap records at local tracks. Roper is reported to have died on his final machine, after suffering a heart attack (or "heart disease" as the papers of the time reported it) while competing against a local cyclist.

Following Roper's death, his second and last steam motorcycle was sold to a museum in New York City, passing through a succession of similar establishments and private owners before it was purchased by the current owner and consignor in 1996.

The appeal of the 1894 Roper undeniably lies in its rarity (Roper's only other steam motorcycle is in the Smithsonian Institution) and significance as one of the world's earliest motorcycles. January's auction will mark the first time this pioneer motorcycle is offered at a public sale. Pre-auction reports suggest the Roper will set a new record as the most expensive motorcycle to be sold at auction when it crosses the blocks. The current record sits with a 1915 Cyclone board track racer, which made US$551,200 in 2008.

The 1894 Roper will be joined by a number of other vintage motorcycles from the likes of Wagner, Indian, Harley-Davidson, Cleveland, Flying Merkel, Brough Superior and Henderson amongst the 400+ lots on offer. The Auctions America by RM Las Vegas Premier Motorcycle Auction will take place in Las Vegas on January 12 - 14, 2012. For further details, go to www.auctionsamerica.com