With the airways over Europe opening up again, there may still be a chance for enthusiasts wanting to a piece of motorcycle history.

A hugely varied collection of motorcycles of all shapes, sizes and types have been collected for Bonhams ‘Pioneer, Vintage and Collectors’ Motorcycles and Related Memorabilia’ auction which will take place on Sunday 25th April in England.

Not least of which is the first motorcycle ever commercially built.

For motorcycle enthusiasts able to attend the event, the collectables will be available to photograph on 23rd April at the Stafford County Showground, Stafford, with the collection on display before the auction.

The oldest motorcycle included in the collection is the also the undoubted highlight of the show, a Hildebrand and Wolfmuller, an example of the first motorcycle ever made, presented in totally original and unrestored condition. This ‘barn find’ motorcycle was created c.1894 in Munich and is estimated at £40,000-60,000.

Also hitting the auction block, the ex-Francis Williams, Basil Keys Norton-JAP, a historic sprinting motorcycle with outstanding stature and what’s being considered ‘competition pedigree’. It was on this motorcycle, Basil Keys broke the course record at Brighton in 1959 covering the standing-start kilometer in 21.59 seconds at an average speed of 103.61mph.

Another notable item in the auction is the legendary superbike of motorcycling’s between-the-wars ‘Golden Age’, the Brough Superior is known as ‘The Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles’. It is synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish.

The auction is expected to include over 500 lots of motorcycles and related memorabilia.