Tom Simpson transfer on 1963(?) Mercian

[robv]

I got myself an old Mercian King of Mercia frame, serial 63226 stamped in the rear dropout. Could this be 1963? It has a transfer on the seat tube where you would expect the 531 decal with Tom Simpsons head and signature (correct me if I'm wrong). It could have been applied later. Has anyone seen this on frames from that period?
I'm thinking of having the frame resprayed by Mercian but I'm not sure if and how I should preserve Tom's face on the seat tube.

 

[Excel]

...what you have is a later stick on transfer available in the mid to late 1960's, it looks like you may be able to peel it off carefully if you wish to retain it, Tom is shown wearing his World Championship stripes which he won in 1965

Griff

 

[roadking]

Re:

It is just a transfer...kind of thing sold in the 100s in bike shops...not especially relevant to Mercian - as the sticker (doesn't look like a transfer) is a foil one I'll doubt you'll remove it.

Rk.

 

[Robbied196]

Re:

A hairdryer will give you the best chance of removing it in one piece.

 

[robv]

Thanks all. I managed to get it off in one piece using a heat gun. Not sure what to do with it now. I might put it on my son's bike so he can impress his friends. Tom who?