Penny Farthing Bookend — Handmade Metal

A high wheeler bicycle in handcrafted metal, weighted and squared off at the back to hold a row of books upright.

Details

• Handcrafted metal bookend
• Weighted base with flat vertical face
• Spoked wheels, saddle and handlebar detail
• Hand-applied finish
• Suits a bookshelf, desk, study or shop display

Why a bookend has to be heavy

A bookend works by friction and mass, not by bracing against anything. Books push outward with real force, and a light bookend simply slides. Cast metal solves it — which is why the good ones have always been iron or bronze and the bad ones are hollow plastic that ends up propped against a wall.

The bicycle

The high wheeler's front wheel was driven directly by the pedals, one crank turn per wheel turn, so speed came only from diameter. Wheels grew to the limit of the rider's inside leg. The design was ended by the chain drive, which let a small wheel turn quickly — and made bicycles safe enough for anyone to ride.