Just picked up a 2007 Brooks printed catalog (BTW, only the 2006 catalog is online at the moment).
For the 2007 Swallow Limited Edition: 999 numbered pieces, carefully stitched by hand. This time it is only offered in black (with silver rivets); the 2005 Swallow Limited Edition was offered in Antique Brown and all 999 examples were sold out.
I'm not exactly sure what Chuck means by "split" rivets; in the catalog, the 2005 and 2007 versions are shown opposite each other and the rivets look identical in the photographs (top view).
Now, onto the Sprinter version. The catalog says this version was the choice of track riders through the 1950s and 60s (is it true?). Will be available as a limited edition of 1925 pieces, and only available in brown (looks like a very, very dark brown). Weight is 435g (vs. 370g for the Swallow).
Ciao, Angel Garcia Verona, IT
On 11/28/06, Chuck Schmidt <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
> Angel Garcia wrote:
>
> > Just returned from a visit to a local bike shop. Learned that there
> > will be
> > a 2007 Limited Edition Swallow (like the 2005 with the sewn
> > sides). If I
> > understood correctly the saddle can be reserved in advance. Best to
> > contact your favorite BROOKS dealer for details.
> >
> > Apologies if info already posted.
> >
> > Angel Garcia
> > Verona, Italy
>
>
> Just an observation: I looked at the 2007 Limited Edition Swallow
> sample at the Las Vegas trade show the other month and was a little
> disappointed to see that Selle Royal had decided to change the solid
> rivets to hollow split ones. It also looked to my eye like the nose
> had been bobbed (cut off) a little too short in that the leather
> ended kind of far from the end of the metal nose piece. Beautiful
> saddle otherwise!!!
>
> Chuck Schmidt
> South Pasadena, Southern California
> United States of America
> http://www.velo-retro.com (reprints, t-shirts & timelines)