The following purports to be a definitive definition of what constitutes a genuine Hetchins and what constitutes a replica and a forgery. The following purports to be exhaustive, but not simple.
I should, however, first explode a few myths and misconceptions about what constitutes a genuine Hetchins. I have occasionally read posts from correspondents to Internet forums in which the claim is made that only a frame made by Jack Denny is a genuine Hetchins. This is an incorrect definition. It is mistaken on both ends of the spectrum, first, because Jack Denny made some frames which were not Hetchins, and second, because some other people made (and still make) genuine Hetchins. Jack Denny had his own bike shop before meeting Hyman Hetchin; the frames he produced then were therefore genuine Denny's, but of course not Hetchins (not yet, anyway). Secondly, Jack Denny was not the only frame builder employed by Hyman Hetchin: two others are known, namely Bob Stratfull and Stan Broom. There is no way to know which of the three builders made any particular frame by inspecting the frame, however closely. We have access to builder's cards for frames made during a few years during the 1950s; for these frames and these frames only, it is possible to determine which of the three builders in Hyman's employ made a particular frame. All of them are genuine Hetchins, though not all of them were made by Jack Denny. Below, R. Stratfull's time card dated 13 June 1958, showing which frames he built (serial numbers in the left column, models in the 2d & 3d columns) and what he earned (6 pounds, 1 shilling, 9 pence, at bottom).
After Alf took over the business in 1961, some frame production was subcontracted to at least two other builders: an unknown builder in Italy, and Bob Jackson Cycles (then JRJ Cycles) in Leeds. These frames were fitted with Hetchins badges and transfers; they are therefore genuine Hetchins, since Alf commissioned them, although they were not built by Jack Denny. The first such frame subcontracted to Jackson which can be documented was built in 1984, as attested by its typically Jacksonian serial number; the sales receipt is written in Alf's unmistakable scribble--see below:
Earliest documented Jackson-build Hetchins
This therefore provides us with a preliminary definition of what constitutes a genuine Hetchins: any frame produced under the aegis of Hyman Hetchin or Alf Hetchin, which therefore includes frames made by someone other than Jack Denny.
Hyman or Alf occasionally saw fit to respray or renovate some other manufacturer's frame and thereafter fit it with Hetchins transfers. Such frames are clearly identifiable by the words "reconditioned by" Hetchins. See below:
In 1986, Alf sold the business to a London businessman who also purchased JRJ cycles (Bob Jackson). Soon after, all production by Jack Denny in Southend ceased and was transferred to Jackson's in Leeds. Alf continued to advise the new management as a part-time consultant and promoter. In the mid-1980s, Alf took some frames to a trade show in southern California; these frames included some which were almost certainly built by Jack Denny (as attested by Southend serial numbers), but also some which were built by Jackson's master craftsman, Danny Foster (as attested by Leeds serial numbers). Denny had shown Foster how to put the right curl on the stays. Anyone who claims that a Jackson-built frame is not a genuine Hetchins must surely be embarrassed by these facts. Jackson clearly had the full support of both Alf Hetchin and Jack Denny to help ensure the continuance of the marque. Below: Alf at the trade show, displaying Jackson-built frames.
The serial numbers of two of the frames displayed at the California trade show are visible below; one is a typical Southend number, the other is a typical Leeds (Jackson) number.
The confluence of Hetchins and Jackson ended in 1993 when David Miller, at that time manager of the combined operation, left the facility in Leeds and took the Hetchins marque with him to Preston. Mr. Jackson came out of retirement and re-acquired his former firm, in partnership with Donald Thomas (who continued to run the business without the late Mr. Jackson until Jackson was acquired by Woodrup Cycles in 2021). From 1993 onwards, a genuine Hetchins is one built under the aegis of David Miller. David Miller has employed different frame builders from time to time; the current one is Paul Riley of Preston.
This, I believe, constitutes an exhaustive definition of what counts as a genuine Hetchins: that is, a frame made under the authorization of Hyman Hetchin (from inception in 1934 to Hyman's death in 1961), or Alf Hetchin (1961 until he sold the firm in 1986), or Jackson Cycles (1986 to 1993), or David Miller (1993 to the present).
What constitutes a replica or a forgery? Any frame bearing Hetchins transfers or badge not made with the authorization of the above-mentioned persons or firms. David Miller refers to persons and firms who make such frames as "rogue builders." Several rogue builders are known, and include Harry Butler of Yorkshire, Tom Board of London, Ron Cooper, and another then-well-known builder in Kent (now deceased). So far as this Editor knows, none of these rogue builders is still producing replicas or forgeries; they produced their wares in the 1990s, the last one probably about the year 2000. Some of these frames continue to circulate, for example at eBay. Some of these replicas and forgeries are featured at this web site; see the link below.
Copycats.
What is the difference between a replica and a forgery? Forgery is defined in British law as "passing off" the work of one person or firm for that of another; there is an implicit intent to deceive a buyer into thinking he has purchased the genuine item. A replica or tribute is clearly identified by the builder or seller as not genuine, with no intent to deceive.
Any frame builder (such as Tom Board) may produce a bicycle frame with elaborate lugwork (for example, cut by Len Phipps) and curved stays; this does not infringe upon the Hetchins marque. However, Hetchins transfers, logos, and badges are copyrighted; as soon as such a frame is fitted with Hetchins transfers or badge, it is being passed off as something which it is not. This is the moment when a replica (un-badged, un-transferred), becomes a forgery.
What if one these other builders uses genuine Hetchins parts (curly stays, lugs, etc.), perhaps cobbled together from jumble sales or salvaged from genuine but broken Hetchins recovered from rubbish tips? Genuine Hetchins parts do not a genuine Hetchins make; it matters who brazed them together. Hetchins bits cobbled together make a "bitser", not a Hetchins. Again, so long as no Hetchins transfers or badge are fitted to it, and no one pretends it is a Hetchins--so long as it 'trades' as nothing more than a bitser--it shall be a replica or a tribute (though one which misses the marque). Deceit creeps in when someone puts Hetchins transfers on it. Any reputable resprayer would and should refuse to fit Hetchins transfers &/or badge to someone else's work. Call it a Phipps-Board if you want, or a Bilenky Tribute, but not a Hetchins.
CyclArt of California spotted one of these rogue frames and clearly identified it as such (see below). No future owner should be under any misapprehension about what he has acquired.
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