Hi folks,
I am considering an historical archival project (for my own use but if it works I want to make it available as a resource to all). This is partly to fill the void which will be left when I finally get my damn thesis finished and to keep me busy while baby-minding. But, more so it is because I have just purchased a 1947/8 F.H. Carpenter frameset (pics. available if anyone is interested) of which more will be said at another time. I have been wading through a few catalogues and other information on Carpenter and other British marques of the 1930s-50s and have been struck by how little information there is in any one place (with the exception of the CR British parts page). Particularly about the components one might expect to find on a 1947/8 Carpenter or a 1936 Ellis, for example. I know that many of you in the know are familiar with this stuff but I am only now breaking out of my 1970s-80s, mainly Campy, funk and need to educate myself.
I therefore would like to put together a compendium of British components, model numbers, and styles by date and get an idea of what equipment would have been standard or specified on certain British marques (and individual models within each marque) at different times. This requires gathering copies of catalogues, magazine adverts, spec. sheets, photographs, etc. I thought I would start with the glory years between the 1930s and the 1950s.
I don't know how feasible this is but it is something I would like to play around with - perhaps slowly by decade at first! I have floated this idea to one or two on the list already and have been given good comments and wonderful assistance. I don't have a lot of money to spend on this project and would welcome any help, comments, or assistance from list-members - especially if you have any catalogues (Brown Bros. for example) , etc, scanned which you could send me.
Please contact me off-list if you can help.
Thanks,
Paul Williams - in a relatively mild (-1C) Ottawa, ON, Canada