I must have said something in the wrong veign there, I never meant to infer that Stan even built for Pat Hanlon, though such a possibilty could arise. I was sold 2 unpainted frames from a job lot sold to a dealer from a shop in London.I Was told theywere Stans work, but they didnt correspond with the usual Stan sinatures, usually, but not always, one or more of the 4 card suits. I checked the numbers with Stans brother and sure enough they were Stans supplied to be painted in some one elses name and colours.My own Stanley was built Italian style with Italian style lugs and no transfers at all, my choice and a superb frame. Stans own bike was made of Ishiwata tubing with none of the card suits on it. I owned that until I let the family have it back 6 months ago. John Woodburns end to end record frame also was free of Stans emblams, so he, and many other frame builders went where the money took them, dont forget, these guys, while artists in their own
world, were not wealthy people and tis was their living. Few were famous in their day, though popular, each area declaring its own local frame builder as the best, when they were, take away the dressing, probably all about equal. Hetchins was a famous make, but in their day, few riders road them for road racing,[my first road race at 15 was on one!] as they were soggy and not particularly light. Time trialists sometimes used them but they were expensive, no pro used them as far as Im aware, Now, because of their quirkiness, they fetch premiums. It is my contention that if you took 6 frames from the best builders and mixed up the transfer names, the most popular name would be deemed to be the best. If it actually turned out that it was made by a lesser mortal, no one would believe it. So, if Stanley made frames for Pat Hanlan, I wouldnt be surprised, but who would say which was the best out of all of her frame builders.
Ill tell you a story about those lovely Holdsworths sometime...