Is this an Original 'Laprade' made-in-france seatpost (i.e. by the Patent owner, what was the company?) I think that if it is, it would be something of historical significance - something worth capturing for the classic rendezvous website.
(For you non-ebayers, the seatpost head begins at a tall 1.5" above the shaft, and is barely wider than the shaft, extending about 1cm behind the post, and the clamping plates are narrow, maybe 2cm long (front-back) and 3cm wide. There is a silver LAPRADELAPRADELAPRADE label encircling the border where the machined shaft transitions to the sand-casted head. Above the label is a seam, like the head was press-fit to the shaft. There are no flutes.)
Questions
1. With such a small cradle and clamps, did these have a reputation for slipping?
2. When were these invented?
3. Who was the inventing company?
- Don Gillies
San Diego, CA, USA