Well, yes, it would not be surprising that photos in a catalog would depict previous year production. In fact, inevitable if catalogs are to be issued at the beginning of a year. For example, the 1975 catalog (not posted on RetroRaleighs) prominently shows the new Reynolds Tube Co. decal at the top of the page for each 531 model, but only the Team Pro is shown actually bearing that decal. All other bikes carry the old decals. The one remaining mystery is that square Reynolds Tube Co. frame decal in the catalogs on on my 1974 International. A number of list members report only having seen that decal in a rectangular shape, wider than it is high. Yet the catalog photos of the decals are definitely square, the decals on the bikes in the catalogs appear square, and the decal on my International definitely is. This leads to the strange but almost inescapable conclusion that Reynolds made that decal in two shapes, square for Raleigh, and rectangular for everyone else. We know that Schwinn, Jack Taylor and perhaps others had custom versions of Reynolds decals and of course there were versions in French. Also, I believe at one point some Raleighs used the Schwinn-type decal clarifying the point that stays and forks were not double-butted. But why Raleigh would want an otherwise identical decal which was square rather than slightly rectangular is a mystery. Has anyone with a 1975 to 1977 Raleigh with that decal measured it to see whether it is square or rectangular?
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
r cielec <teaat4p@yahoo.com> wrote: I am pleased to know, Jerry, that you have your decal. conundrum sorted-out. Wish I could accomplish same
This is not intended to kindle a tit-for-tat sparring. I wish only friendly discussion.
I do not recall S/N's on my International and Competition; yet they both have the similar trait that the S/N denotes a year earlier than indicated by how they are kitted-up in accordance with catalogue specs and photographs. This is the normal production year vs. model year over-lap I suspect.
Richard Cielec Chicago, Illinois
Jerome & Elizabeth Moos wrote: All valid points, but one gathers the data where on can, and catalogs are certainly useful. I can say I have a Raleigh International with a square Reynolds Tube Co. decal as pictured in the 1975 and 1976 catalogs, although this decal is not pictured in the 1974 catalog, and the serial # makes this a 1974 frame.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
r cielec wrote: Ahoy ! This discussion, and certainly others which cite catalogue photographs as evidence make me feel uneasy about the validity of the visual data. Among considerations are: the advance nature of catalogues; colour corrections; artistic lisence; availability and type of props; colour fade; colour correction for printed catalogue visual appeal; flat-out errors. I suppose others could add to this list of caveats.
Richard Cielec Chicago, Illinois
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