One of the highlights of the Bonhams & Butterfields sale to be held on 5 May 2007 will be the 'Brough Superior' Trademark and Logos. This Lot consists of the UK, European Community and Japan rights to the trademark and company name, 'Brough Superior Engineering Limited' and its associated logos.
Legendary superbike of motorcycling's between-the-wars 'Golden Age', Brough Superior - 'the Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles' - was synonymous with high performance, engineering excellence and quality of finish. That such a formidable reputation was forged by a motorcycle constructed almost entirely from bought-in components says much for the publicity skills of George Brough. But if ever a machine was more than the sum of its parts, it was the Brough Superior. Subsequent to George Brough's death in 1970, his company was reorganised and its name changed in November 1974 from 'George Brough Limited' to 'Brough Superior Engineering Limited', and it is the rights to the latter name that are offered here. Also included in the sale is the minute book of the Board of Directors of George Brough Limited, King Street, Nottingham and the registered office's brass nameplate bearing the legend: 'Brough Superior Engineering Limited, Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles'. The marque's two distinctive and instantly recognisable logos (both with and without the surrounding oval) also are included in the sale. The vendors acquired the rights to the above from the Cavanagh family, proprietors of the Cotswold Motor Museum, in 1998. The rights to the valuable Internet domain name, 'www.brough-superior.com' are included in the sale also.
The Trademark, 'Brough Superior Engineering Limited' is registered in the UK under '1457563' (renewable in September 2009) Trademark Journal '6232'. The European Community application number is '1093392'. The Japan trademark application is number '11-68981', Certificate of Trademark Registration '4392842'.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SALE OF THIS LOT MAY BE OBTAINED FROM BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS PRIOR TO THE SALE, AND MAY BE VIEWED AT THE SALE. Estimate $220,000-250,000
For further information contact Rebecca Ruff on +44(0) 207 468 8210 or press@bonhams.com NOTES FOR EDITORS Bonhams, founded in 1793, is the world's oldest and largest auctioneer of fine art and antiques remaining with British ownership. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and PhillipsSon and Neale UK. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America and in August 2003, Goodmans, a leading Australian fine art and antiques auctioneer withsalerooms in Sydney, joined the Bonhams Group of Companies. Today, Bonhams is the fastest growing auction house in the world, offering more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street, and Knightsbridge, and a further eight throughout the UK. Sales are also held in Switzerland, Monaco, Australia (Sydney and Melbourne) and the USA (New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles). Bonhams also has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives offering sales advice and valuation services in 25 countries. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of more than 50 Bonhams specialist departments, go to www.bonhams.com.
