Folks,
There is an Elvish brand (French) frame on ebay:
Item Title: Elvish Made in France Vintage Bicycle Frame Set
w/Fork
Item Number: 200260332426
Item URL:
http://ebay.com/
FRAME MEASUREMENTS FROM THE SELLER:
Sorry I forgot to list the measurments. Frame sizeis 22 1/2" head tube to seat tube is 20 1/2" head tube is 5 1/2" not adding headset rear drop out distance is 1 3/4" Seat tube is 22" Top tube is 21 1/4" Hope this helps
-packers443 (ebay seller)
There does not seem to be very much on the frames in the CR archives beyond racer Victor Fontan's pro racing career (see below), which ended in the 1030s. Does anyone out there know more about the Elvish name and the company (ies) that made them in the post-WW II era?
FROM THE 2006 CR ARCHIVES: VICTOR FONTAN
He wore Yellow in the 1929 Tour on Stage 9 Tuesday 9th July 363km. Bayonne to Luchon. S.Cardonna of Spain won the stage that day. He abandoned on this stage after a run in with a dog or a pot hole in the darkness depends on where you read it but it was a broken bike. Victor was born June 18th 1892 at Nay France. Professional 1923-1930. Rode four Tours 1924,28,29 and 30. Two stage wins. 1928 Stage 9 387km Hendaye to Luchon and stage 7 285km Les Sables d'Olonne to Bordeaux. His nickname was the King of the Pyrenees. Other victories 1926 Tour of Catalonia. 1927 Tour of Catalonia. 1927 Tour of the Basque Country. In the 28 Tour he rode for Elvish-Wolber. Croeso Cymru Joe King Nr. Maenaddwyn Ynys Mon Wales
I also wonder if the Elvish name, which apparently dates back to about 1930, was inspired by some connection with the Lord of the Rings author's writing, or by something else?
Jon Spangler
Alameda, CA USA