Does this bring back memories - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

terrybull · 4th Jul 2017, 10:54 am

I was going through a box of PW mags and nestling in the bottom found this. Torn from an old envelope it appears to be a shopping list/price list for some project or other. Reminded me of similar lists I made but decimal money had just started when I began playing with electronics.

Radio Wrangler · 4th Jul 2017, 11:06 am

It was written following the curve of the torn scrap of paper. Even the paper shows the difference in wealth of most people between then and now!

As a kid I made up shopping lists for projects I had no hope of affording. A bunch of us at school concocted lists of ideal hifi systems, rather like those fantasy football teams of more recent times. Quad 33/303 figured strongly, Thorens turntables were de rigeur. Akai GXC200D or something like that...

David

David

TonyDuell · 4th Jul 2017, 5:04 pm

Any 'points' for spotting that the company that list was intended for was most likely Home Radio of Mitcham?

Peter88gate · 5th Jul 2017, 4:23 pm

Funny you should say that! I was just thinking that could almost be one of my parts lists for a trip to Home Radio at 187 London Road, Mitcham (later at 240 London Road). I often paid them a visit, but also ordered by post sending a Postal Order as I had no bank account in those far off days of the 1960s!

Peter

dazzlevision · 5th Jul 2017, 5:00 pm

In the late 60s, whilst still at secondary school, our Physics teacher would order components for us from "Radiospares", using headed school notepaper. All we had to do was provide a suitable Postal Order to pay for them!

Biggles · 5th Jul 2017, 5:34 pm

There was a similar shop in High Bridge street in Newcastle upon Tyne in the Seventies. Every Saturday, queues out of the door. Every kid into electronics was there ordering odd bits and bobs for the latest project. I think the owners probably predicted the demand for particular components by reading the various magazines of the day. This was long before mail order was the norm, and competition from "electronics superstores". They were affectionately known as Tommy Aitken's, and I was a regular customer. My long suffering Dad used to work near the shop and I often sent him off with a long list, eagerly waiting his return home with the goods, which he had probably spent a good portion of his lunch break queuing for! Like many others, the shop is long gone. Times have changed.
Alan.

MrBungle · 5th Jul 2017, 5:48 pm

I still do this. Albeit on spreadsheets.

4th Jul 2017, 10:54 am	#1
terrybull Octode Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Southwell, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 1,781	Does this bring back memories I was going through a box of PW mags and nestling in the bottom found this. Torn from an old envelope it appears to be a shopping list/price list for some project or other. Reminded me of similar lists I made but decimal money had just started when I began playing with electronics. Attached Thumbnails

4th Jul 2017, 11:06 am	#2
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,899	Re: Does this bring back memories It was written following the curve of the torn scrap of paper. Even the paper shows the difference in wealth of most people between then and now! As a kid I made up shopping lists for projects I had no hope of affording. A bunch of us at school concocted lists of ideal hifi systems, rather like those fantasy football teams of more recent times. Quad 33/303 figured strongly, Thorens turntables were de rigeur. Akai GXC200D or something like that... David David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

4th Jul 2017, 5:04 pm	#3
TonyDuell Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Biggin Hill, London, UK. Posts: 5,213	Re: Does this bring back memories Any 'points' for spotting that the company that list was intended for was most likely Home Radio of Mitcham?

5th Jul 2017, 4:23 pm	#4
Peter88gate Tetrode Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: London, UK. Posts: 85	Re: Does this bring back memories Funny you should say that! I was just thinking that could almost be one of my parts lists for a trip to Home Radio at 187 London Road, Mitcham (later at 240 London Road). I often paid them a visit, but also ordered by post sending a Postal Order as I had no bank account in those far off days of the 1960s! Peter

5th Jul 2017, 5:00 pm	#5
dazzlevision Dekatron Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Near Swindon, North Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 3,621	Re: Does this bring back memories In the late 60s, whilst still at secondary school, our Physics teacher would order components for us from "Radiospares", using headed school notepaper. All we had to do was provide a suitable Postal Order to pay for them!

5th Jul 2017, 5:34 pm	#6
Biggles Rest in Peace Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 2,234	Re: Does this bring back memories There was a similar shop in High Bridge street in Newcastle upon Tyne in the Seventies. Every Saturday, queues out of the door. Every kid into electronics was there ordering odd bits and bobs for the latest project. I think the owners probably predicted the demand for particular components by reading the various magazines of the day. This was long before mail order was the norm, and competition from "electronics superstores". They were affectionately known as Tommy Aitken's, and I was a regular customer. My long suffering Dad used to work near the shop and I often sent him off with a long list, eagerly waiting his return home with the goods, which he had probably spent a good portion of his lunch break queuing for! Like many others, the shop is long gone. Times have changed. Alan.

5th Jul 2017, 5:48 pm	#7
MrBungle Dekatron Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: London, UK. Posts: 3,687	Re: Does this bring back memories I still do this. Albeit on spreadsheets.