I have seen this frame and it is indeed exquisite both in terms of the quality of the workmanship and the design. Without disagreeing with Doug I would have to say that the best examples of H.R. Morris are every bit as nice though and I'm sure there are others.
Edward Robert Brooks Managing Director Edward Roberts International Auctioneers of the Fine and Rare 1262 West Winwood Drive Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 Phone- 847.295.8696 Facsimile- 847.295.8697 Email- ebrooks@eriwine.com Website- http://www.eriwine.com
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org] On Behalf Of BobHoveyGa@aol.com Sent: Thursday, September 14, 2006 3:09 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org; Mark@bulgier.net; fatticbicycles@qtm.net Subject: [CR]Re: Johnny Berry Frame
In a message dated 9/14/06 7:10:42 AM, Mark Bulgier writes:
>
> Doug F raised some interesting points and also dropped the following
> bomb:
> > I own what I believe is the finest frame ever made [snip], I'm
> > saying the best frame anyone ever made.
>
> Wow, now you've got my attention. I am positively slavering for a
photo
> essay on that frame! Please o please?
>
Mark;
There are a few photos of the frame but I don't think there are any really detailed closeups, and at the moment I've got the frame... Doug sent it to m e to trace the lugs and photograph it so that it could have its own web page.
I've been way too lax about finishing up this project, but it shouldn't be l ong now. I am trying to get access to a friend's photo studio so I can do some
nice shots comparable to the wonderful work Ray's been doing, rather than ju st taking the frame out on the deck and shooting it in the sun against a busy background of leaves and driftwood-colored planks.
In the meantime, here are a few photos, though I must warn you, they do not do justice to the real thing:
http://hometown.aol.com/
I don't think Doug's exaggerating when he calls it the best frame ever made,
it is certainly the nicest I've ever seen and by a good margin. The lugwor k is delicate and incredibly elaborate without being gaudy. The complexity o f the design is astounding in places... strips of the lug travel around the tu be, connected to the main portion of the lug by a tiny isthmus, (often hidde n underneath and out of sight) giving the impression that the lug is two or mo re pieces when it is in fact only one. To be honest, I think one of the reas ons I've taken so long on this project is that every time I pick this frame up, I get goosebumps... it is an incredible rush to examine every curve and fleur,
but depressing to think that after I send it back to Doug I may never see it
again.
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA