Brian Baylis, and other top contemporary frame builders, have nothing to fear from comparison to Confente or others.
Their frames are already much sought after and bring excellent prices on the primary and even the secondary market (the true determinate of lasting economic value).
Of course it is true that the work of deceased frame-builders frequently bring great prices. Perhaps because they have been long considered and long found to be excellent, or it may be that living artisans are judged by their worst performance and the dead by their best. The shades of time blur many things.
I certainly wish Brain Baylis (and all the other living frame-builders) long life-certainly longer than mine- because I'm hoping to have a frame completed before it's too late!
George
George Hollenberg MD
Westport, CT, USA