Brooks 1916 Catalog — The Brooks Book of Cycle and Motor Cycle Saddles and Bags

The Brooks Book of Cycle and Motor Cycle Saddles and Bags for 1916, from Great Charles Street, Birmingham. Thirty-six printed pages between brown card covers, the year printed on the cover itself.

Four things make it worth citing.

The first is the B 28. On printed page 13 the B 28 Road Saddle (Patent) is described in one sentence that matters more than its length suggests: “The design of this saddle includes the BROOKS rubber buffers which are incorporated in the springing arrangements.” Until this book was read, the earliest attestation of a rubber buffer shock absorber on a Brooks bicycle saddle was the 1923 catalog. The collection jumps from 1916 to 1923, so this is the earliest evidence the collection can supply, and it moves the feature back seven years. The 1916 B 28 is made in gentleman’s model only, in two sizes: Size 2 at 10.5 by 8.5 inches, 2 lb. 10 oz., and Size 3 at 11.5 by 9.25 inches, 3 lb. The Size 2 dimensions and weight are identical to the Size 2 of the 1923 B 28, so this is the same saddle carried forward rather than a reused number.

The second is the Brooks Patent Compound Spring on printed page 20, which is a coil within a coil and is argued for in engineering terms rather than advertising ones. The two springs absorb a shock together, but because the inner and outer springs each try to return at their own rate, and those rates differ, one damps the other. That is a description of vibration damping by detuning, printed in 1916, and it sits directly behind any account of how Brooks approached shock absorption before rubber took over.

The third is the title page, which dates both the company and the catalog series. It gives ESTABLISHED 1866, and the Brooks Policy on printed page 2 repeats it: the policy “has been since the firm was founded in 1866, Quality first.” It also calls itself the thirty-second year of publication, which places the first Brooks Book at about 1885. And it prints the telephone as Central 3670, six lines, which pushes that number back from 1923 to 1916; by 1937 it is CENtral 3671 with ten lines.

The fourth is what the title page says about the war. Brooks lists itself as contractors to H.M. Government, The Admiralty, War Office, India Office, Post Office and Colonial and Foreign Governments, and stamps the page GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED WORKS. Yet the saddle range in this book is entirely civilian: path, road, light road and juvenile models, with no military pattern anywhere in it. Military work has not stopped, it has moved out of the civilian catalog and onto the title page as a credential.

Two smaller things worth having. The Champion range in 1916 is four models, B 10 C, B 17 C, B 19 C and B 20 C, so the Champion name and the B 17 C designation are both in place. And printed page 3 explains the Champion’s cambered back as the product of a curved cantle plate, which establishes cantle plate as genuine Brooks vocabulary and not a modern coinage.

This record reproduces the cover, the title page, the policy and Champion pages, the Champion racing range, the B 28 leaf, the B 90 and Release Hammock leaf and the compound spring leaf. The remaining printed pages, which run to tool bags, frame bags, motor cycle saddles, back rests, pannier bags, carriers, belt and tube cases and spring leggings, are held in the Ebykr collection but are not reproduced here.

The scan runs about 1,030 pixels across per two-page spread, which is roughly 515 pixels per printed page, and the images in this record are presented at twice that. Headings, model numbers, prices and weights read cleanly. The smallest spec type in the upper corners sits near the floor of legibility. Shipped as scanned, with no white point normalization: the stock is cream and the ink is clean, with no acquired cast.

— Page 1 —

[Front cover. Brown card, printed and blind-embossed in a ruled Art Nouveau border.]

THE BROOKS BOOK

(Registered Trade Mark)

of Saddles, Bags, &c. for Cycles and Motor Cycles

1916

— Page 2 —

[Inside front cover, blank brown card, facing the title page.]

THE BROOKS

(Registered Trade Mark)

BOOK

of

Cycle and Motor Cycle Saddles and Bags

for 1916

Thirty-second year of publication

Telephone: (Six Lines) Central 3670
Telegrams: “Brooks, Birmingham”

J. B. BROOKS & Co. Ltd.
Great Charles St., Birmingham

ESTABLISHED 1866

Contractors to H.M. Government, The Admiralty, War Office, India Office, Post Office and Colonial and Foreign Governments etc., etc.

GOVERNMENT CONTROLLED WORKS

— Page 3 —

[Printed pages 2 and 3. Policy and measurement conventions on the left, the Champion racing range on the right with a top view photograph.]

Page 2

The BROOKS Policy

The BROOKS Policy is, and has been since the firm was founded in 1866, “Quality first.”

Naturally, in supplying the wants of a huge public, it is necessary to eliminate needless expense, but cost is always the consideration to be dealt with last by BROOKS. They decline to produce anything but what they are absolutely satisfied will honestly fulfil the requirements of the buyer.

In making BROOKS Saddles for Cycles and Motor Cycles, experience is vitally necessary. Lack of experience in a maker means far too much of experimenting for the unfortunate user.

BROOKS experience in saddle making goes right back to the beginning-back to the period of solid tyres-and is unequalled by that of any other house in the world.

It is this long and wide experience, coupled with the unalterable determination to offer the public only the finest quality, that has placed BROOKS in the position of being by far the largest and most successful firm of saddle makers in existence.

Size, Height, and Weight of BROOKS Saddles

The size, weight and height of every seat and saddle listed is given in this catalogue and the information will often be found useful.

The dimensions are merely the overall length and breadth and do not necessarily represent the exact amount of seat room available.

The weight may vary slightly owing to differences in thickness of the leather used.

The height given is in each case the distance from the centre of the saddle clip bolt to the top surface of the saddle.

Naturally, it does not represent the height of the saddle above the L pin, as this will vary according to whether the clip is turned up or down.

Page 3

BROOKS “Champion” Model Racing Saddles

[Photograph captioned: Showing cambered weight-bearing portion of “Champion” Saddles.]

The distinguishing feature of the BROOKS “Champion” racing saddles is the cambered or domed back, produced by using a curved cantle plate; the illustrations, on this and the next page show this feature very clearly.

This cambering of the weight-bearing part of the saddle, in combination with the fine and narrow peak, gives a degree of comfort and freedom of movement most valuable to the racing man, and at the present time the great majority of speed-men all over the world use BROOKS “Champion” racing saddles.

An important point in the construction of BROOKS saddles is the use of solid copper rivets, which never work loose.

— Page 4 —

[Printed pages 4 and 5. A top view of the Champion saddle on the left, two path saddle framings on the right.]

Page 4

BROOKS “Champion” Model Racing Saddles

[Photograph captioned: Top view of “Champion” Saddle.]

“Champion” saddles are made in four models, viz: B 10 C, B 17 C, B 19 C, and B 20 C.

B 10 C is a saddle made up of the B 19 C top on four-wire frame, as shown at the bottom of page 5.

B 17 C is the B 17 C top on two-wire frame, as shown at top of page 6.

B 19 C is the B 19 top on a framing similar to that shown at top of page 6, but of larger size.

B 20 C is the B 17 top on a framing as shown at top of page 5, which provides a front spring.

Page 5

B 20 Path Saddle, Champion Model

MADE IN GENTLEMAN’S MODEL ONLY.
Size 11in. x 7in. Weight 1lb. 9oz. Height 2.5in.

PRICE-Enamel, 11/3. Nickel, 12/6

Above is illustrated the framing fitted to this model, the special feature being the extra resiliency afforded by the coils at front.

The top is as B 17 C.

B 10 Path Saddle, Champion Model

MADE IN GENTLEMAN’S MODEL ONLY.
Size 12.75in. x 7in. Weight 1lb. 13oz. Height 2in.

PRICE-Enamel, 13/9. Nickel, 15/6

This model is built on similar lines to B 19, illustrated on page 6, but differs in the underframing, which is of the well-known B 10 type, as shown in our illustration. This framing has enjoyed an immense popularity for many years, both for the road and for path riders who prefer a saddle with moderate resiliency.

— Page 5 —

[Printed pages 12 and 13. Four road saddles, two to a page. The B 28 is at the head of the right-hand page.]

Page 12

B 33 and B 33 L Road Saddle

FOR GENTLEMEN. Size 10.5in. x 8.5in. Weight 2lb. 11oz. Height (to top surface) 3.25in.
FOR LADIES. Size 9.5in. x 8.5in. Weight 2lb. 9oz. Height (to top surface) 3.25in.

PRICE-Enamel, 14/9. Nickel, 16/6

B 33 has a top of superior quality leather, carefully formed and fitted with soft leather pads comfortably cushioned.

B 33 L is a similar saddle but suitably modified for ladies’ use.

B 36/2 and B 36/2 L Road Saddle

FOR GENTLEMEN. Size 2 – Size 11.5in. x 9in. Weight 3lb. 2oz. Height (to top surface) 3.25in.
FOR LADIES. Size 2 – Size 10.5in. x 9in. Weight 2lb. 14oz. Height (to top surface) 3.25in.

PRICE-(Size 2) Enamel, 20/-. Nickel, 22/-

Both B 36 and B 36 L for ladies, provide a luxurious seat, the whole being well cushioned over a stout, strong and well shaped leather top.

Page 13

B 28 Road Saddle (Patent)

MADE IN GENTLEMAN’S MODEL ONLY.
Size 2 – Size 10.5in. x 8.5in. Weight 2lb. 10oz. Height 2.5in.
Size 3 – Size 11.5in. x 9.25in. Weight 3lb. Height 2.75in.

PRICE-(Size 2) Enamel, 14/9. Nickel, 17/6
(Size 3) Enamel, 16/9. Nickel, 19/6

The design of this saddle includes the BROOKS rubber buffers which are incorporated in the springing arrangements. The tension screw is readily accessible, and the front loop-coil spring ensures the maximum of ease.

B 95 Road Saddle

MADE IN GENTLEMAN’S MODEL ONLY.
Size 10.5in. x 8.5in. Weight 2lb. 11oz. Height 3.25in.
Size 2 – Size 11in. x 9in. Weight 3lb. Height 3.25in.

PRICE-(Size 1) Enamel, 13/-. Nickel, 15/-
(Size 2) Enamel, 13/9. Nickel, 16/-

A saddle that yields to the weight of the rider along its entire length. The top is carefully blocked and will keep its shape under the severest wear.

— Page 6 —

[Printed pages 14 and 15. The B 90 and the Release Hammock on the left, two juvenile models on the right.]

Page 14

B 90 Road Saddle (Patent)

MADE IN GENTLEMAN’S MODEL ONLY.
Size 1 – Size 10.5in. x 8.5in. Weight 3lb. Height 3.25in.
Size 2 – Size 11.5in. x 9in. Weight 3lb. 4oz. Height 3.25in.
Size 3 – Size 12in. x 9.5in. Weight 4lb. Height 3.5in.

PRICE-(Size 1) Enamel, 15/6. Nickel, 18/9
(Size 2) Enamel, 16/6. Nickel, 19/9
(Size 3) Enamel, 17/6. Nickel, 20/9

A most comfortable and handsome saddle. It is made of the finest selected leather, fitted with the BROOKS stranded-wire spiral springs, laminar front spring, and patent six-wire bracket, and is without doubt one of the most popular road saddles made.

Size 3 can be made in special strengths to order, to suit any weight up to 18 stone, Price 1/- extra.

The “Release” Hammock Saddle

MADE IN GENTLEMAN’S MODEL ONLY.
Size 11.5in. x 9in. Weight 3lb. 6oz. Height 4in.

PRICE-Enamel, 16/6. Nickel, 19/9 (without tool bag).

If complete with tool bag shown on page 18, PRICE-Enamel, 21/6. Nickel, 24/9

A well-sprung comfortable saddle of the hammock type. The large springs extended rearwards give an exceptionally smooth action. A special feature of this saddle is the ease with which the tension can be adjusted when required.

Page 15

B 94 Juvenile Light Road Saddle

For BOYS. Size 9.5in. x 7.5in. Weight 2lb. Height 3in.
For GIRLS. Size 8.5in. x 7.5in. Weight 1lb. 13oz. Height 3in.

B 94 for girls is suitably modified.

PRICE-Enamel, 9/6. Nickel, 11/-

The construction of a saddle for juveniles requires the greatest care. It must be well made of the best materials so as to yield the maximum of comfort and durability.

In the construction of this model these essentials have been carefully considered, and there is no more suitable saddle for either boy or girl than the BROOKS B 94.

B 25 Juvenile Light Road Saddle

For BOYS. Size 9.5in. x 7.5in. Weight 1lb. 4oz. Height 1.5in.
For GIRLS. Size 8.5in. x 7.5in. Weight 1lb. 2oz. Height 1.5in.

PRICE-Enamel, 7/6. Nickel, 8/6

This is a neat, small and very durable saddle, specially designed for either boy or girl. The BROOKS four-wire spring framing is employed in its construction, and the top is so shaped as to ensure the maximum amount of comfort. Undoubtedly this saddle is as near perfection as it is possible for skill and experience to make it.

— Page 7 —

[Printed pages 20 and 21. A cutaway photograph of the compound spring on the left, the B 500 motor cycle seat on the right.]

Page 20

The BROOKS Patent Compound Spring

In absorbing a road shock the inner and outer coil springs act in unison, thus giving the sensation of unlimited elasticity for which BROOKS motor cycle saddles are so well known.

But the resulting “bounce” and slowly-dying oscillations which are inevitable in the case of the simple spring, do not occur with BROOKS compound spring, for the simple reason that the inner and outer springs each tries to bounce and joggle the rider at its own speed, and as these speeds are totally different, the one counteracts the other. BROOKS patent Compound Spring is the only form of saddle springing that ensures unlimited resiliency combined with the least possible shaking about of the rider.

Page 21

B 500 Patent Motor Cycle Seat

Size 14in. wide x 13in. front to back. Weight 10lb. 10oz.
Height (to top surface of depression) 4.5in.
Clearance between rear springs 8in.

PRICE (enamel finish only) 50/-

This is a saddle in which the movement of the seat portion is in a truly vertical plane, this effect being obtained by the use of parallel links.

The bearing surfaces in this link motion are very substantial, so that wear is reduced to a minimum.

An appreciative rider called this “The Pullman of Saddles” and there is no doubt that the combination of scientifically moulded and padded seat and the “deep” action of the BROOKS patent compound springs (see page 20) makes an extremely comfortable saddle.

Please state your weight when ordering as we make this saddle in several strengths.