Originally Posted by
mrjav
So then you start checking these things out and realize that decals were put just about anywhere they could fit. Somewhat randomly at times even. Surely this may be a difference between a Colnago and a little local guy like a Vianelli, but look at the conversation we're having regarding, in my opinion, a master like Tommasini. It's a different culture in a small shop, and certainly even more so back 30 or 40 years ago when they were making tools for a purpose (the purpose was not collecting!).
More to the subject... what's the chance of finding a serial number on this frame?!? Any ideas what we're looking at here? Tucked away in a small room on the upper floor of the shop in Grosseto is what Irio claims to be his first frame. Maybe the first Thomas, or the first built in this shop, but I'm pretty intrigued by it.
Finally, I'm planning my next trip to spend some more time in this room... Irio has saved what looks like EVERY article or review written about his bikes. He has Gazzetta's in here with race results from the 40's. I mean floor to ceiling, stacks and stacks of pure Italian cycling gold!
Thank you for this info, Rory. It adds crucial context to my sometimes obsessive research on IDing and dating Tommasinis (which I know is somewhat of a fool's errand, but that's part of the appeal). I look forward to hearing/reading your recently completed interview with Irio Tommasini, and I hope you are able to spend lots of time in the Tommasini 'reading room.' And please please (if it's OK with Signore Tommasini!) post photos/scans of some of those articles!! I would love to know more about not just the build philosophy and technique of Irio, but also the racing history of his bikes. And really just about anything about Tommasinis.