Touring - Should a new Brooks saddle look like this?

I just purchased a Brooks Imperial online and there are more wrinkles near the rivets than I was expecting. Is it supposed to look like this or should I return it? Below are pictures of rivets on both sides of the saddle. Thanks!
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-LHfC_kIFkpw/TkJLshA9gdI/AAAAAAAAAVk/5KKx1o_nFQA/s800/photo%252520%2525282%252529.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-d2QAJe6TYZs/TkJLPAoOcCI/AAAAAAAAAVc/OnMJ7BMn5eU/s800/photo%252520%2525283%252529.JPG

should be fine just a few stretch marks when you proofhide it all will be well.

That looks like an imperfection in the leather. Do as you please, but know, that spot is likely weaker than the rest of the saddle.

that spot is likely weaker than the rest of the saddle.

What do you base that statement on?

A couple of rivits on mine have looked like that for many years.They actually got a little flatter/smaller as time and shoe polish and my ass was applied.

I just purchased a Brooks Imperial online
they just picked one at random from their inventory and shipped it

Spend more money then.. say you want a hand picked for no wrinkles one ,
send it back, maybe the seller will help with return shipping costs, maybe not.


OR, the bigger hand set copper rivets come at higher price point, specify that .

You wanted to save money , so got the machine set nickel plated brass ones.

I bet you cannot see those while you are riding the bike
and seeing, instead, where you are going.

they just picked one at random from their inventory and shipped it

Spend more money then.. say you want a hand picked for no wrinkles one ,
send it back, maybe the seller will help with return shipping costs, maybe not.


OR, the bigger hand set copper rivets come at higher price point, specify that .

You wanted to save money , so got the machine set nickel plated brass ones.

I bet you cannot see those while you are riding the bike
and seeing, instead, where you are going.

I don't think that Brooks offers a copper riveted Imperial. I could be wrong, but I've never seen one and it's not listed on their website. I've contacted the company indicating that I wish to exchange it and haven't heard back. I'm mainly trying to figure out whether it is cosmetic or structural especially if they do not offer to pay for return shipping.

I don't think that it has any relevance, but I moved to Sweden 3 months ago, and purchased it from a German company.

What do you base that statement on?

The fact that I've worked with many, many hides of leather. Personal experience, I guess one would say. These are thin spots on the hide, generally. In the various Brooks saddles I've owned, I've never seen one like this. Certain uses and places, a stretch / thin like this doesn't matter. That close to a rivet? I personally wouldn't be thrilled with it. Out in the center, where this is little to no stress: no problem. In a bag, mudflap or strap: also no worries. I'm actually pretty shocked that an imperfection like this came from a hide that Brooks is using - let alone in one of their nicer saddles. It could be that it was cased improperly, and it's just a stretch, but I'm not sold on that. They have huge hydraulic presses for their saddles - generally why you get a perfectly smooth product from them.

http://bygonebicyclist.com/images/handmade/eaglebag/IMG_2247.JPG
http://bygonebicyclist.com/images/handmade/newbag/IMG_2252.JPG
http://bygonebicyclist.com/images/handmade/newbag/IMG_2256.JPG
http://bygonebicyclist.com/images/handmade/saddlebag1/saddlebag.jpg

Just got to ask (because Ebay purchases can always be trusted) but is it possible that this isn't a Brooks saddle, perhaps is a knockoff?

I would agree it is weaker. My reasoning is that the rivet is not evenly supported in the leather. I hadn't thought about the hide being thinner there, just that it might not have even bearing, or there is separation in the leather. I sure wouldn't pick that saddle in a setting where I got to examine it first. That does not meet the cosmetic expectations I would have for a Brooks saddle. I am not sure how proofhide would help. It isn't supposed to allow leather to stretch, which is what would be required, or shrink.

Proofhide wouldn't help at all. It is strictly for hydrating the leather and weatherproofing it. If anything, you could argue that Proofhide (and the likes) would actually make a weak spot worse, causing it to stretch more.