This is Francis Fry's high-wheel or gentleman's ordinary bicycle more commonly known as a penny-farthing. Which he had made in about 1880 by Thomas Pitcher at Lewins Mead, Bristol. Pitcher was an engineer, machinist and millwright who started business in 1863. He took his sons into partnership in 1887 and continued in business until 1932. Pitcher never advertised himself as a bicycle maker but he is listed in a cycling magazine of 1892 as one of six makers in Bristol. His bicycles were known as 'The Clifton'. It is quite likely that the wheels and frame were bought as parts from Coventry manufacturers and assembled and customised by Pitcher. Fry had turned ivory handlebar knobs put on his machine and a 57” (1.45m) diameter front wheel.