I: [CR]Selling inventory that isn't

(Example: Production Builders:LeJeune)

From: "The Maaslands" <TheMaaslands@comcast.net>
Subject: I: [CR]Selling inventory that isn't
To: Classic Rendezvous <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 17:06:05 -0500

Jan wrote:
> Selling inventory that isn't: As long as the seller makes it clear
> that this is the case, I don't have a problem with it. When I go to a
> bike shop to buy something, they often special-order it.
> If somebody finds a stash of stuff, but is afraid to buy because they
> don't know what the market value is, I don't mind if they propose the
> items, as long as they say "I think I can get this. Are you
> insterested?"

As Jan has brought up the topic, I came across many things in Italy that I did not pick up myself that could interest some of you out there. I am not interested in these things myself and the prices that I was asked made them totally uninteresting to me for any possible resale. I can however broker them for anybody who is interested:

One fellow has 5 enamel shop signs. One each for Umberto Dei, Atala, Maino, Frejus and Bianchi. All are in very good shape except for the Frejus one, which is quite weathered. I have photos of all of them. I know the vendor would like to sell all 5 together and wanted a princely sum. The Dei and Frejus ones are multi-colored, whereas the other three are blue. The Bianchi one is nicely bevelled, whereas the others are all flat. The same fellow also has a very large collection of bicycle pins and cycling medallions. The pins and medallions are from manufacturers, scout groups, awards for rides... The oldest ones are from the late 1800 and the most recent from the 70's. It is a beautiful collection that you would likely never be able to collect on your own. He also has a large collection of bicycling related brochures and catalogues: over 200 in total dating from the late 1800's up until the 1960's, including something like 15 Bianchi catalogues.

Another fellow has a clock that was supposedly offered as a prize during a Berlin 6-day race in 1938 (complete with swastika and all), a satin banner that hung at the departure of the 1960 Giro at the Quirinale with an Italian flag on one side and an embroidered description of the event. The Quirinale is the Italian equivalent of the White House and was exceptionally used as the departure point of the 1960 giro as a build-up to the 1960 olympic games. He also has a 1930's Umberto Dei shop backlit advertisement light. It is hand-painted and in good shape. Very few of these have survived because they often broke. Traditionally, they would be built into the front door of the shop.

If anybody is interested in any of these items let me know off-list and I can see what can be done to work out a transfer of ownership.

Steven Maasland

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