Summary

Copy of The Australian Sketcher, 17 June 1882, consisting of twelve pages from pp. 177-92, published by Wilson & MacKinnon, Melbourne. Page 188 consists of two black & white illustrations, the upper one depicting a Bicycling Tournament held at the Exhibition-Building, the lower depicting the unveiling of John Batman's monument. Page 183 contains an article about the event, which took place on Saturday, 3 June 1882, and involved 250 people from bicycle clubs in metropolitan Melbourne.

Mr CA Booth was an American champion bicyclist and promoter of the tournament, who had made the original approach to the Trustees of the Exhibition Building. The tournament was held under the patronage of the Australian Cyclists' Union, and the various Melbourne cycling clubs who participated in the day's events. With cycling having developed as a recreational pursuit in recent years, the event saw a reasonably strong turn-out of 2,000 visitors during the afternoon, and 4,000 throughout the course of the evening.

Physical Description

Copy of The Australian Sketcher. Page 188 consists of two black & white illustrations, the upper one depicting a Bicycling Tournament held at the Exhibition-Building. The central illustration is Mr Booth wearing a black three piece suit and balanced on one leg on the seat of a Penny Farthing bicycle. The surrounding illustrations show him performing various tricks on the Penny Farthing such as riding side saddle, standing still, riding without handles. A 20 mile race and a tricycle race are also depicted. Page 183 contains an article about the event, which took place on Saturday, 3 June 1882, and involved 250 people from bicycle clubs in metropolitan Melbourne.

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