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there is a Merlin connection with the cycling historian, the late Andrew Ritchie

in 1973 he returned to Berkeley, California from a trip home to the UK and brought with him two pre-owned road frames

the first was a Pat Hanlon in opaque medium blue with black panels, constructed with a full-sloping crown and a Brampton Victor seat cluster, size was 24 1/2" c-t-t

the second machine was a Merlin in white with opaque red panels and Zeus Gran Sport road ends, it was of 22 1/2" stature

both irons appear to date from the mid-to-late sixties

never learned if the Merlin was pre or post fire; it appeared to be from right around that time...

the lady who purchased it was a tenant in a building i managed. built it up into a complete cycle for her. she subsequently decided to have it resprayed in the original livery. this work was performed by none other than Ed Litton who was able to obtain the correct varnish-fixing transfers.

​​​​​​https://classicrendezvous.com/countr...-isles/merlin/

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