I think Chris paid what he had to pay to keep them out of the clutches of Jack Gabus. Both are quite intelligent and serious collectors. I think if they thought this was the way to go, no doubt it was. As a long time antiques and folk art collector (and more recently a bike collector) I have rarely bought something near the top of the field it resides in even at top dollar and not had it keep its value up. Two years ago folks thought those of us paying $200 or more for high flange C Record hubs to be nuts. Now they wish they had bought them in many cases. I am not at all sure too much was paid for those rims, especially after hearing Steven Maasland's enlightening comments on what was right and what was wrong on Masi bikes of that period. Let us worry about our own overzealous purchases before condemning others. And don't give me any bullshit about never having made any. Chris has comported himself with character and cajones (am I spelling that right...Pergolizzi?) and only increased his standing in my eyes.
Now if I may comment on Bob Hovey's Campy catalogs. They are wonderful
beyond what anyone might have a right to expect. Bob is a truly dedicated
guy and a consummate artist. His stuff is in a class by it self. Now
having said that, if you are not lucky enough to own one of his Bikes Of
Steel CDs you should be beating a path to his door and sucking up for all
you're worth. They are even more fun that the catalogs and I cannot
imagine myself being without it. Bob has but hundreds and hundreds of hours
into these projects and would be justified in most any price he put on them.
It is only his generous nature that keeps the price as low as it is and it's
a fantastic bargain. If this stuff was in a $75 coffee table book we would
all be scouring the bookstores and net for it.
Thanks Bob.
Tom Sanders
Lansing, Mi