I have recently been given a 1938 frame which is badged as an André Leducq. It was one of five bought in, in March 1938 from France by Percy Stocker who was a prominent member of several different Bristol and Bath cycling clubs over the years had intentions to set up an agency. The frame is recorded in his retrospective diary written in 1972 complete with almost all its original specification. It is apparently built from 531 with some fairly distinctive lugs. Originally it was equipped with a Super Champion 3-speed Osgear with 18-18-20T freewheel, Durax chainset, Lyotard quill pedals, a Caminargent stem with Leducq shape bars - what were these like? Bowden aluminium side pull brakes, Mavic 27in rims - these well be 27in sprints and Mavic mudguards and Brooks B17 saddle. I already have a suitable Durax chainset and Osgear and perhaps the Bowden brakes but will need to search for the other parts. Intriguingly the first reference to the frame is to Mercier in December 1937 - perhaps André Leducq frames were simply rebadged Merciers. Percy Stocker was later well known in BLRC circles after WWII helping with many of the road races in the SW of England. The frame was given to me by Charlie Bland, a local rider who had known Percy since 1950. Charlie himself has won several national championships including the BLRC road race championship in the early 50s. He still races cyclo-cross throughout every winter and these days builds a few frames - last year he built a rather nice cyclo-cross frame for my son. Andre Leducq was a very successful pro road rider winning the Tour in 1930 and 1932 as well as the Paris-Roubaix in 1928. Coincidentally the picture I have used in my advert in this year's Veteran-Cycle Club's Yearbook is a publicity photograph of André Leducq for Alcyon after winning the '28 Paris-Roubaix. André Leducq was still riding successfully in 1938 - he even won a stage that year and with the frame I was given a couple of photos of Leducq from the '38 Tour including one of him changing a tyre. Does anyone know anything of Leducq frames? And in 1937 and 1938 what teams was he riding for?
Hilary Stone, Bristol, England