Received my copy of the Lightweight Cycle Catalogues Vol 1 today. This is a compilation of copies of catalogues from British framemakers and runs from the '30s to the '50s. All are reproduced in glorious black and white and spiral bound. It says Vol 1, so I presume others are to follow.
This first volume covers the "big dogs" - Bates, Carlton, Claud Butler, Ephgrave, Gillot, Hetchin's, Hobbs of Barbican, Holdsworth, Raleigh, Rotrax and a few others. Each catalogue is preceded by a brief write-up of the marque's history.
(Interesting factoid I picked up about Rotrax. The shop has always been painted red because one of the principals' wives was a member of the local Communist Party in the '30s and the back of the shop was the meeting room. I knew I liked my Rotrax for a reason. Now if I can just find that Che Guevara t-shirt I wore back in the '60s...)
Well worth having if this area is of interest - unless, of course, you're lucky enough to own the originals of all these. I obtained mine from Bookplace, Ltd (www.thebookplace.co.uk) for £10 plus £5 delivery to the States.
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Phil Sieg
Knoxville, Tennessee