Just thought I would record the (to me) high price paid for a 1957 Hopper
Vampire frame and forks on eBay. I would have liked it for my local museum,
where I work as a volunteer, and where I am planning to find room for a few
of my Elswick-Hopper collection. The nice thing about this one was that it
was pristine and had a flambouyant and intricate downtube transfer. My size
too but at $383.78, with the cost of repatriation, too much. The reason for
its condition is that it had led a sheltered life in Salt Lake City, oddly,
with a name like that, not a city renowned for a problem with winter salt on
roads, which causes such havoc to enamel. Anyway, not a Cinelli, or Hetchins
or Frejus, or any of the other 'collectable', bikes that 'collectors' bang
on about, just a standard bit of English kit. I do hope that Velopolo enjoys
it and sends me pictures when it is built up, in exchange for a catalogue
scan. Is he a lister? If so, please conatct me. I console myself with the
thought that it was an export bike and will still be flying the flag in the
US.
Nigel Land
Barton on Hopper
England
sorry, that should be Barton on Humber