Decals are to chrome as vampires are to sunlight. It's also true that many of the bikes that came through Spence Wolf's Cupertino bike shop lack downtube decals - mine included. Apparently, the decals tended to get messed up in transit, so Spence had them shipped without decals with the idea of applying them upon arrival, if customer's so desired. Many did not so desire. Not applicable to that Cinelli in France, in all liklihood, but just though I'd mention it in case folks come across other Cinelli's without "Cinelli" on the downtube.