Hi George,
A pantograph is a mechanical linkage that allows you to copy something. This mechanism is incorporated into engraving machines. These machines accurately reproduce a pattern. The cutter is held in a rotating spindle. Patterns for written words are often made up from font sets that are similar to moveable type. Patterns for logos or other shapes are typically hand made. Once the pattern is set up and you have an effective way to clamp the item to be engraved, it is reasonably efficient to engrave multiple parts.
http://en.wikipedia.org/
The pantographed components that you are referring to were mostly customized by secondary vendors. Bike manufactures had their logo engraved into stems. seat posts etc. Then they would fill in the logo with paint... I assume that was done by hand with a small brush.
You also see components where the pantographing is clearly one-off. Like somebody's name on a stem etc. Many of the French constructors had the customer's name and address engraved (pantographed) on the stem cap.
When I was a kid working in bike shops we had a Herms engraving machine that was configured to cut the customer's name and phone number right into one of the frame tubes! Anybody remember those?
Jamie Swan Centerport Cycles Inc. 245 Main St. Northport, N.Y., U.S.A. 11768 631-262-0909
http://www.centerportcycles.com (mapped) http://www.cabinfeverauctions.com http://www.cabinfeverexpo.com http://www.limws.org http://www.liatca.org
On Mar 8, 2007, at 7:04 AM, gholl@optonline.net wrote:
> Vintage bike collectors place great value on pantographed parts. I
> gather that pantography is a form of engraving. I'd like to be
> educated as to the technique if this idea is wrong.
> I would also like to know whether, in the case of Campagnolo parts,
> what the exact physical technique was in doing the engraving, i.e.
> was this done by machine, by hand,etc.? Furthermore, was the
> pantography done by Campagnolo, 3ttt, etc., was it subcontracted,
> or was it done by the individual bike manufacturers themselves once
> they had the parts in hand? Was pantography done on anodized or
> unanodized parts? If the pantographed parts were then painted, how
> and when was that performed?
> Many thanks for everyone's help.
> George Hollenberg MD|
> (CT, USA)