Butchers' shop delivery bicycle
Date made: early 20th century
Maker: unknown
Description: This bicycle was used by the Russell brothers, butchers on Hope Street in Douglas, to make deliveries to customers.
The bicycle has a metal carrying basket attached to the front, and a sign carrying the name of the business, A.W. Russell Butcher.
The delivery or errand boy was once a familiar sight in towns and cities. Most of the customers would have been local, living in surrounding streets, and the better class of customer would have had goods on account. The growth of supermarkets has contributed to the decline of the small local retailer, but the idea of a home delivery service has undergone a revival in recent years.
Materials: iron, paint/oil, rubber
Object name: bicycle
Collection: Social History Collection
ID Number: 2001-0068