Motorcycle goggles
Date made: early 20th century
Description: A set of motoring or more likely motorcycle goggles, from the Grove, Ramsey. Blue tinted lenses in leather frame.
The Gibbs of the Grove were keen spectators at the pre-First World War Isle of Man Tourist Trophy (TT) races and these goggles may have belonged to Percy Wilcox Owen - a gentleman racer with whom they were friendly. He is shown in photographs visiting the Grove, and a motorcycle tyre in the Manx National Heritage collection (2017-0070) may well have been his. The slightly feminine style is consistent with goggles from this era, and there is a photo of Owen falling off his motorcycle at Ramsey hairpin, c1912, in which he wears a similar set of goggles.
Percy Wilcox Owen was born in Ironbridge, Shropshire in 1889, son of a wealthy local brewer. Before 1914, the high costs of purchasing and maintaining a motorcycle meant that this was a pastime enjoyed by only a privileged few. Owen rode a Forward in the 1912 and 1913 Junior TT races, and a Norton in the 1912 Senior TT. His only finish was 5th place in the 1912 Junior, in just over 4½ hours with an average speed of 33.1mph. In common with many pre-war riders, Percy Owen served as a junior officer in the First World War. He did not return to racing after the war.
Miss Gibb's recollections of the early races can be heard in her oral history interview (SA 0178), available on iMuseum.
Materials: cotton, glass, leather, metal: iron, copper alloy, plated, plastic: cellulose acetate, rubber
Object name: goggles
Collection: Costume & Textiles Collection
ID Number: 1976-0694
Subject tags : #TT&MOTORSPORT
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