[CR] Advice on Hetchins Mussette

(Example: Humor)

Date: Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:52:18 +0100
From: "Derek Athey" <devondirect@googlemail.com>
To: Rendezvous Classic <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: [CR] Advice on Hetchins Mussette


Greetings from UK to all US listers

Some advice please? I happened to come across a musette I had long forgotten about the other day screwed up at the bottom of one of my saddlebags. At first I thought it was a rag!

Anyhow, it is a Hetchins, Tottenham yellow cotton musette, silk screened text in black with the old style Hetchins script logo, the curly stay outline with the legend... Lightweight Cycle Specialists TOTTENHAM. Quite rare I guess, but not so unusual in itself. Must date from the 60's I guess, although I've probably only had it since I started restoring/collecting in the mid 80's.

What is unusual is, that it is over screened in red with the name and address of L B WOLF of California, which I must assume is/was a cycle shop selling as an agent, Hetchins cycles and frames.

The full address is: LB WOLF 10080 Randy Lane (I wish I had such an address!), CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA USA

My question. Does this shop still exist? If so, do they still have any stock? Does anyone remember such a shop? If no longer extant, when did it close?

Finally, I note from the CR website that there is a section on Musettes, which appear to be collectible. Is this an American phenomenon, as there doesn't seem to be much happening in this sector in the UK. In fact I can't remember the last time I saw one for sale at a cycle meet or jumble here in the UK. I note that Hilary Stone has submitted quite few examples for inclusion on the site, but knowing Hilary as I do, I expect he collected these for a few pence decades ago, as thye are uncommon these days.

Does it have any collectible value? If so what is it's worth? I know this is like asking how long is a piece of string, but there must be some guys out there that have no interest in them, but can give an objective valuation.

Thanks in advance of nay advice.

Derek Athey
Honiton, Devon UK