Norris wrote:
> Earlier today I was browsing on various websites and stumbled into
> "Vintagevelos".. and into their archive material. and there is my frame,
> although in road-racing guise.. and all satin nickel plate.. none other than a
> Gloria, from what I can make out from the photos of the elaborate lugwork.
>
> But I need more.. so is there anyone out there with any photos, pictures of
> decals ..or WHY? I'd be incredibly grateful for any help tto confirm my
> findings.
Gloria was founded in 1922 by Alfredo Focesi in Milan. There are quite a few Gloria owners on the list. Already in the 1920's Gloria bikes were coming with the brand-typical lily lug adornments. It was quite common for the bikes to have lilies budding off of the fork crown onto each fork blade; from the headlugs onto the head, top and down tubes; from the seatlug onto the seat and top tubes; and from the BB shell onto the down and seat tubes, as well as the seatstays. It was all very intricate, quite similar to what Hetchins later did. I expect that Gloria copied the idea from somebody else. The brand shield shows a stylized AMF at the top of the shield, with a scroll across the center saying Gloria and then Milano with a little daisy-like flower at the bottom. The bikes were highly regarded, and it was at Gloria that Ernesto Colnago first apprenticed.
The brand itself first gained fame among racers when Liberio Ferrario became the very first Italian amateur road world champion. He rode a Gloria. This was in 1923 (one year after Focesi had started production!) Personally, I find them to be one of the most interesting pre-1950's Italian bike brands that you can find. I am quite surprised that the brand is not better known amongst the VCC membership.
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Steven Maasland
Moorestown, NJ