The Lot is from outside the UK. Shippio Ltd must automatically uplift this Lot after the auction, complete all post sale import or export customs administration, and store this Lot until it is customs cleared. A compulsory fee of £350 + VAT will be added to the buyer's invoice for this. This Lot cannot be collected from the auction venue by the purchaser or any alternative transporter.

If the Lot is to stay in the UK or is not exported within 90 days of sale, Import VAT at 5% on the hammer price is payable.

The Singer Motor Wheel was invented by Messrs Edwin Perks and Frank Birch, who took out patents to the design in 1899. Their invention consisted of a small four-stroke engine complete with carburettor, fuel tank, and low-tension magneto, which was housed within an eight-spoked cast-aluminium wheel suitable for attachment to any standard bicycle (at the rear) or tricycle (at the front). The pair began manufacturing the Perks & Birch Motor Wheel at their works in Coventry. The neighbouring Singer Cycle Company was their main customer, and in 1900 Singer acquired the rights to the P&B Motor Wheel, which they proceeded to improve. Out of the handful of known survivors, bicycle versions of the Singer Motor Wheel are owned in the UK by the National Motor Museum and the Shuttleworth Collection.

Correspondence on file reveals that Verralls purchased this early motorised bicycle on our vendor's behalf from Brooks' Stafford sale in October 1997 (Lot 220). The Singer is equipped with a back-pedalling brake and, unusually for the time, a twist-grip throttle; there is also a supplementary fuel tank mounted under the cross tube and a Lucas Calcia King acetylene headlamp. In later correspondence dated 14 October 1998, Brian Verrall—who had first examined the machine at the Coventry Museum in 1952—described it as "one of the most original pioneer motorcycles that have survived", further noting that "the whole machine is totally original", and that it was his favourite among some 9,000 motorcycles handled over a 47-year career. The motorcycle is fitted with a number of period-correct accessories from Verrall's own collection, including a headlamp, horn, licence holder, handlebar-mounted pump, and an original Singer leather tool box fitted behind the saddle. At time of sale it was stated that the machine had been restored in the 1960s and used extensively on VMCC events before being placed on display in the Birmingham Museum of Science. The Singer's cherished registration was being retained and it was offered with a Pioneer Certificate (No.13, since mislaid). The machine is offered with copies of the 1999 sales invoice, related correspondence and the auction catalogue description, together with a 1937 tax disc (in the holder), but no other documents.

Despite displaying the Vehicle Registration Number 'JSJ 702', the HPI report states that this motorcycle was exported in November 1998; accordingly, prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's registration status prior to bidding and will be responsible for any post-purchase DVLA applications should they wish to attempt to retrieve the VRN.

Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning and/or restoration to a greater or lesser extent before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Prospective purchasers should satisfy themselves with regard to this motorcycle's completeness, history, authenticity, originality and mechanical condition prior to bidding.
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