One of the most underestimated northern frames ...and a brand that has stood the test of time, is the Ellis-Briggs, from Shipley near Bradford, where Doug Fattic took his first file strokes in anger some..was it 30 years ago did you say?
The 1952 Ellis-Briggs International now selling on Ebay - item No 7164379008 - seems to be vastly under-priced to me. This model was the company's top-of-the-range model, and was used by countless top road-racing men in the 50s. The seller mentions that Ken Russell road one when he did hid one-man-team victory in the Tour of Britain, but what is a little known fact that none other than Britain's finest road rider of the 50s, Brian Robinson also road E-Bs. In fact when Brian set off for fame and fortune in France, he road his Briggs for quite a while on the continent. A close friend of mine, Ken Balmforth, who rode as an "Independent" - a type of semi-professional - alongside Brian, still uses his Briggs as a regular training machine.
I have a 21.5" International in my collection.. and I have to say that it is one of the most elegant machines I have..some nice detailing on it....beautifully tapered fork blades.... Jack Briggs, never a man to "flannel" his customers, made no attempt to hide the fact that the fancy scolloped lugs were fly-pressed out, with nice windows as well. I remember that he showed me the dies. Jack died unfortunately about 18 months ago, but his sons still carry on the business
Also being sold on Ebay is a 70/80s Ron Kitching Cyclassic, in a very typical, but not Team, RonKit colour., Item No 7164830885. If the buyer is lucky he will buy a frame made by Steve Elsworth, the foreman builder, at MKM, who built most if not all of these frames, Steve, who must have been one of the UK's top builders, particularly of lugless frames and tandems, never ever used any form of jig. Everything was done "by eye", even the bending of fork blades.
Norris Lockley...Settle UK