I've just uploaded a photo of what I believe to be a pre-WWII Reynolds "A" tubing transfer:
http://www.wooljersey.com/
Sorry for the poor photo of an incomplete transfer, but I hope it adds something to the discourse. The bike is a Super Elliott from Adelaide. If there's enough interest in this, I'll ask the buyer (who outbid me on it) if he's willing to share more photos.
Regards, Dave Ross Portola Valley, CA
Bob Reid wrote (in part):
"...Okay so here are the "facts"
--- 'A' grade did exist pre-war (at least before 1928)
--- 531 did not replace H.M. High Manganese, or even 'A' quality in Reynolds product range as late as 1952.
As far as transfers go, the earliest Reynolds example (gold on black) was for High Manganese on a 1937 Sun Wasp.
Bob Reid (I don't make this stuff up)
Stonehaven
Scotland"