Jim,
You're right, putting old cycling literature on CD is a good way of preserving it but that's not the reason I did it.
It isn't to make money either, though I've nothing against that, but to help spread the word about the British cycling heritage.
Lots of people know about the big names like Hetchins and Chater Lea but there was a huge number of interesting companies, sadly now gone, producing some weird and wonderful stuff.
I got turned on to this through Sheldon Brown's website and then Dale's but when I stumbled across the Brown Brothers stuff, it opened up another world.
The list, for better or worse depending on your point of view, leans heavily towards the post 1970s era. From my perspective, it would be great if we could have more chat about Harden hubs, Coureur Plus brakes and even Lucas bells!
Of course, I could be in a minority of one here... (two counting Bob Reid and three if you add (Free) Ken Denny).
Bruce "Never Mind the Masis" Robbins
> From: "Jim Anderson" <doublebutted@hotmail.com>
> Thats the problem with these old catalgues, they get a bit fragile over the
> years. Putting them on a CD is a good way of making sure that they are still
> around for our grandchildren.
> Jim
>
>
> >From: brucerobbins@worldmailer.com
> >Subject: [CR]Get your Brown Brothers CDs here...
> >
> >Hello everyone,
> >
> >Dales given me permission for a blatantly commercial plug for the CDs Ive
> >produced of the famous UK Brown Brothers catalogues-so here it is.
> >
> >In a mammoth operation more time consuming and complicated that taking
> >apart and rebuilding a Sturmey Archer hub, Ive photographed all 800-plus
> >pages contained in two catalogues from 1939 and 1952 and Im now offering
> >them on two separate CDs at US$18, $28 Can and $35 Aus each plus postage at
> >cost, approx US$2 Can$3 and Aus$4.
> >
> >The CDs, viewable on PC and Mac, have high resolution jpegs of all the
> >cycling-related pages on them. Most of the products are pictured with
> >descriptions.
> >
> >The pages are indexed and can also be viewed eight (or is it ten, I cant
> >remember) at a time in your web browser. I've deliberately left the sepia
> >tone on the aged, hallowed pages for nostalgic effect!
> >
> >Other than that they are just plain CDs in jewel cases without any printed
> >matter. The information is worth its weight in gold, though.
> >
> >Brown Brothers were a huge UK cycling concern and their catalogues contain
> >lots of detail about everything imaginable including dynamo lighting
> >systems, ball bearings, Bluemmels mudguards, stems, gears, tyres-you name
> >it!
> >
> >There's lots of info about products from Brooks, Chater Lea, Williams, GB,
> >Simplex, Continental, Reynolds, etc. If you want to know all there is to
> >know about Airlite hubs, Philips pedals, Lycett saddles, or any of the
> >myriad products available from Brown Brothers in the 1930s-50s, these CDs
> >will keep you reading for weeks. Theres even a complete Sturmey Archer hub
> >parts interchangeability chart.
> >
> >That's the sales pitch over. I haven't bothered putting any copy protection
> >on the CDs, believing instead that people on the list have sufficient
> >integrity not to rip me off. :)
> >
> >Ive set up a PayPal account and, if people will let me know their
> >requirements, Ill send off a payment request. Alternatively, I'm happy to
> >accept UK pounds in cash or your native currency but I'm charged £2 or the
> >equivalent of about US$3, Can$4 and Aus$5 to change the money so that would
> >have to be added. Of course, I'm more than happy to deal with other
> >countries-just get in touch.
> >
> >Thanks for your indulgence,
> >
> >Bruce
> >
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