first question why is the ditty "A Herse is a Herse of corse of corse. . . " (sic). going through my head? this is supposed to be a serious, heavy and significant issue.
Here's the way I see it (using examples of my own bikes). I have an RIH built by Mr van der Kaay and the last surviving Bustraan (one of the son's I believe), I have a Jan de Reus built by mr. de Reus before he passed away. I have a Pogliaghi track bike which if I'm lucky Sante was in the shop at some point when the bike was built. M. Freschi was also gone at the time the frame was brazed. So, which one is "the real deal"? For me, all of them. they all came out of the shop with the builders name and blessing.
If M. Herse (and her husband) give their nod of approval to Mike and Mark's venture who am I to question the validity of the Herse name? It's not like some conglomerate bought and ressurected the name and stuck it on a mass produced frame of oriental origin.
hmmm, maybe we have a new category? Keeper of the Name. .
Marty Eison Frisco, Texas
I'm all up for the Tejas Classic Bike round up and rodeo. Just don't ask me to find suitable roads up here.