Bicycle Promotional Card: For The 'America" Bicycle -

McKee Bros. Approx. 3" x 4.5" The F.M. DeMange Company of Denver, had a raffle for an "America" Bicycle on August 3rd (1894?) which required each person to obtain a ticket for $1. On the verso of the card was a drawing of the legendary L.H. Bliss known as "the largest wheelman in the world" representing McKee Bros. He was listed as age 22, weight 502 pounds and riding a 24 pound wheel bicycle. No known copies of this promotional item listed on OCLC. The Old bike website shows that 1896 America Cycle Mfg Co's "The America" Truss Frame had received a patent from the the design of E. Whitworth (see also image from their website). Through repeated use, L.B. Bliss with his frame (sometimes rising to 525 pounds) was able to keep his "America" bicycle on exhibit with no known stress failures.