In response to my question, Chuck Schmidt wrote (thanks, Chuck!):
>From CR archives:
Archive-URL: http://search.bikelist.org/
CYCLING (English newsprint magazine), December 18, 1963 reporting on the Milan Show mentions "one of the sensations of the show were the Cinelli interchangeable front and rear wheels." Shown in the photos is the 3-piece steel barrel and alloy flange version.
The article mentions the hubs being generally available (in England) by the middle of 1964. The first ad I have come across advertising the hub is a CYCLING Ron Kitching ad in 1965.
The article also mentions that they will be jointly imported by Ron
Kitching, Hookstone Park, Hookston Chase, Harrogate, Yorks, and the
Holdsworthy Col. Ltd., Lullington Road, London, S.E.20, and the price,
including "block" is likely to be about £12 a pair in 36/36 drilling.
---------------
Of course, before asking I should have checked Dale's CR site: John Derven's nice article, at http://www.classicrendezvous.com/
John claimed introduction in 1961, but Chuck may have better documentation. Or it just took longer for The Word to get from Italy to England back then...
Boink!
harvey sachs
mcLean VA