American Bicycle Company

American Bicycle Company was an American bicycle company. American Bicycle was founded by Albert Augustus Pope, owner of the Columbia Bicycle.[1] In 1898, the U.S. bicycle industry was caught in a downward spiral of market saturation, over-supply and intense price competition. Pope issued an affidavit says that the American Bicycle Company was incorporated on May 12, 1899.[2] In an attempt to control supply and limit competition, 42 manufacturers (later over 75 companies) formed the American Bicycle Company and soon afterwards announced plans to open a branch plant in Canada called the National Cycle Company.[3] American Bicycle later bought the Gormully & Jeffery Manufacturing Company which made Rambler brand bicycles. Rambler bicycle was obtained in 1900 after Thomas B. Jeffery sold it to focus on the Rambler automobile.[4]

References

  1. ^ "American Bicycle Company Stock Certificate 1902 - New Jersey". Scripophily.net. http://www.scripophily.net/ambicostce19.html. Retrieved December 5, 2011. 
  2. ^ Kyle, James Henderson; Clarke, Albert (1901). Volume 13 of Reports of the Industrial Commission. United States Industrial Commission. p. cxxvi. http://books.google.com/books?id=-Zo6AAAAIAAJ&pg=PR126&sig=1YJNx332rrDkkr7WtgQr0UBeUtk&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false. 
  3. ^ "Collection Profile: The Canada Cycle and Motor Company (C.C.M.)". Canada Science and Technology Museum. http://www.sciencetech.technomuses.ca/english/collection/cycles15.cfm. Retrieved December 5, 2011. 
  4. ^ 100 Years of the American Auto Millennium Edition, 1999. Publications International, Ltd.