[CR]Hand-Painted Graphics

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

From: "Norris Lockley" <norris@norrislockley.wanadoo.co.uk>
To: <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Tue, 30 Aug 2005 19:08:48 +0100
Subject: [CR]Hand-Painted Graphics

All these references to hand-painted "decals" on CNC Special frames are making me feel somewhat cheated. I have a few CNCs dating from the 50s through to the mid-70s but none of them have anything but plastic decals except for the ex-Pro bike from 1953 that belonged to a rider called Querrell - a "regional" pro, I think. But even this one has some sort of self-fix job - just one decal on the upper face of the down-tube. It's a beautifuuly made frame and deserves better.

Not as famous as a Rene Herse..but in no sense inferior, I have a Rene Andre "randonneuse", commissioned from M Andre in 1973, by a M. Deflacelliere, from whom I bought it earlier this year. M Andre has sign-written his name, in gold paint, on both sides of the D/T, Jacques Delong in his book, listed Andre as one of France's "constructeurs" Although the lugs are only Prugnat long point with windows, M Andre has added some very fine touches to the head lugs.

With the bike I was provided with all the provenance, including M Andre's business card on which he states that he was a foreman builder for none other than M Fletcher, of CNC. Possibly Andre was responsible for the sign-writing on the CNCs. Perhaps even, he built the top-end frames.

In the 50s I recall that Paris cycles used to paint on their D/T Name by spraying through a cut-out template..or so I was advised. Mike, can you confirm this?

Noris Lockley...basking in the evening sun..what a treat..Settle UK