F H GRUBB FRAME DECALS

[VeloFellow54]

In conjunction with the marque specialist of the V-C C, we are trying to resolve the confusion regarding downtube decals on F H Grubb machines that were used prior to the company liquidation in 1951. It seems that very few machines have survived with the original decals intact and we appear to now have 4 different designs of script style F H Grubb downtube decals. One of these at least (we think) may be spurious - a later creation.
We are therefore hoping for photos of frames showing the decals on pre Holdsworth Grubb machines, ideally with an indication of date and preferably with a frame number to help to sort out the chronology. Your help with this project is most appreciated.

 

[COUPES]

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I haven't seen anything like my F H GRUBB down tube logo. White and gold lettering one side and gold and white the other. Think it was hand painted. Frame number 2144.

 

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Faded on the other side.

 

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Nobody has managed to date it so far.

 

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Norman said 49 at first then changed his mind. The previous owner said it was 38 which I doubt. 46-7 could be? Paint on the frame is all original. Very light and rides well.

Simon.

 

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Box lining faded

 

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I found out this stem was patented in 1938 and hollow construction. May not of been original to the bike. Chater Lea headset and bottom bracket.

 

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Reynolds 531 has been got at as well as the bonderised decal above it. Can just make out rustproofed on it.

 

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Sadly one mudguard braze-on has got damaged in its life time. Wheel wing nuts are rare Sturmey Archer nuts.

 

[sdp2112]

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Regarding the downtube decals, I have been trying to work out when these changed from one style to another. I have a 1936/7 Anglo Continental, the previous long term owner swears it is in original finish; it has the smaller FHGrubb script with 'Limited'' in the underline 'tail'. As Grubb became a LTD company in 1934 (I believe), this is possible but I am unconvinced. I have an earlier (definitely original) Grubb and that has the block F.H.GRUBB running vertically along the top of the downtube. I think that the same block name either side of the dt is also common. I have seen pictures of 30's bikes with Freddie Grubb dt claiming to be original but I think they are mistaken, perhaps from 1949/50 earliest, thet do appear in a catalogue of about that time. FYI I did get H Lloyd Cycles to make up some simple F.H.GRUBB in vertical and horizontal. To state the obvious there must have been some overlap of styles, possibly for a considerable time.