Jerry wrote about Weigle and Sachs frames, as compared to Confente frames:
"I don't think the happy fact that both these guys are still with us and still building completely accounts for that.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX"
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Uh, actually, Jerry, it does account for that, completely and entirely. And if you ever try to buy a Confente in any kind of competitive-purchase situation, you will see that this is so.
Two other factors make Confentes so desirable. First, they are *really* pretty bikes in clean, original condition. Second, the *time* they were made... Just listen to Simon and Garfunkle's Bookends Theme about 10 times over and you'll have it. "Time it was, and what a time it was" indeed.
The facts that Confente made fewer than 150 frames under his own name, that he died young (very romantic, sad, but romantic), and that his work was immediately raved about and talked up by people in the business, all make a pretty big difference. None of this applies to a Witcomb.
So, it's not at all mysterious why his bikes routinely fetch over 5 grand, and Witcombs don't.
Charles "wish I'd been profligate enough to buy a Confente when I had the chance a few years ago" Andrews SoCal