I recall that Sotheby's or Christie's tried to establish certain types of bicycles as an auction category around 10-15 years ago; much like furniture, cars, etc. I am not sure of the reasons why this effort was not successful, but my guess is that had that been successful, collectible bicycles, as art or whatever you want to call it, would be much more expensive and desirable today. Ofcourse, that would mean framebuilders, craftsmen and artisans on this list would be much better compensated for their work, and enthusiasts such as myself would become more enthusiastic about collecting and preservation.
The key might well be in marketing; not in a negative sense, but a way to attract and educate the millions of Boomers that they can make bicycle and bicycling a part of their life.
Lewis Ting
Chicago, Illinois