"This set of three hand-painted plates was given by the Campagnolo company to distributors and key retailers at the 1980 New York bike show. Each set of three was packed in a distinctive shipping box with a handle bearing the famous script logo. The set included the hanging hardware which indicates they were intended for display not kitchen use.

Folks may remember when the New York Show at the Javits Center (held in mid-winter) and the Chicago Show (held in March) were the bike industry's annual Meccas before the fall shows pushed them out of favor."

As to why Campagnolo would give out plates with birds on them, our source can't offer an explanation. Suffice to say that this is a very rare set, and an illustration of the personal touch offered by Tullio Campagnolo to those who helped distribute his company's products.

How did you get the plates?  Well, first you had to be invited to an event with Tullio Campagnolo.  A friend of Campy Only who was there sent this image of the engraved invitation (click for a full-sized version) . . .