Morris J4

Amongst a recently acquired bundle of old catalogues was this 1963 brochure for the Morris Commercial J4. Available as a van or pick-up, chassis cab or chassis front end, it was in production between 1960 and 1974, superseded by the Leyland Sherpa. It was common amongst the big fleets, such as the Post Office and various utility companies as well as a police van. They were also popular as camper vans. As can be seen on the rear cover (albeit upside down), the brochure was  originally supplied by Glodwick Motor Engineering Co., Park Garage, Oldham.

Railway Ribaldry

It seems amazing that such an august a company as the Great Western Railway would give Heath Robinson a free hand to devote an entire book to poke gentle fun at the early days of their empire. But this they did, on the occasion of the railway's centenary in 1935, the result being Railway Ribaldry. All aspects of railway construction and operations were covered, all drawn in meticulous detail and with the author's renowned imagination and humour. There are page after page of contraptions, most of which look as though they could actually work. Original copies must be very collectable, mine being a reprint published by Ian Allan in 1970 (for 17/6). I believe that it has been reprinted several times since; if you see a copy, buy it!

Carry On Rambling

With the spring weather upon us, The Ramblers Association have unveiled their new lightweight clothing range. Model Amanda Jansen gets the Vintage Stuff seal of approval as she climbs a fence on the South Downs. Mind your step there, Amanda!

From Beautiful Britons, August 1969

Lemon Hart Rum

Having posted a little tribute to Ronald Searle a few days ago, I came across this advert in Picture Post for 19 September 1954. Lemon Hart Rum as a trading name has been around since 1804, although it's import by the Hart family goes further back into the previous century. It soon became an official supplier to The Royal Navy, later taking some 100,000 gallons per year.

I had not realised that Ronald Searle had drawn so many adverts for the company between 1951 and 1962, a fine selection of which can be seen here.

The Far Tottering & Oystercreek Railway

Roland Emett's whimsical railway creations, first seen, I believe, in the pages of Punch magazine before the war, were bought to life at the Festival of Britain at Battersea Pleasure Gardens in 1951. The 15in gauge railway saw Nellie, Neptune and Wild Goose each in the form of a 4.6.2 built by Barlow of Southport, with a diesel engine mounted what would have been the tender. After the festival, they were returned to Barlow and rebuilt as conventional miniature locomotives. The photographs were taken on 20 September by the late Mervyn Mason, the negatives of which are now in my collection.

Wild Goose at Far Tottering

Neptune arriving at Oystercreek station

Nellie 'on shed' at Oystercreek

Ronald Searle

A belated tribute to the late Ronald Searle (1920-2011), this from the May 1948 issue of London Opinion and The Humorist.

Fry's Chocolate Cream

Fry's Chocolate Cream must be regarded as an elder statesman of the chocolate bar, being first manufactured at the Bristol factory in 1866. This advert appeared in the 9 July 1955 issue of Picture Post.

Scottish Mae West?

A bit of early post-war sauce, with this "Inter-Art" postcard, bought in Brighton a few years ago. Posted and delivered within Lanarkshire in July 1953, Mr J Wright appears to be on a promise........

Press For Time

This Norman Wisdom comedy film from 1966 is not his best, but does include a lengthy chase sequence featuring former Bournemouth Leyland TD5 FEL 214. Norman (as Norman Shields) is banished to the seaside town of Tinmouth (actually Teignmouth, in Devon) by his grandfather, the Prime Minister (also played by Norman Wisdom) to train as a local newspaper reporter. In this particular part, Norman thinks that his bicycle has been stolen, and commandeers a bus to pursue the thief. The chase begins through the town, the filming watched by many holidaymakers en route and at one point, the bus manages to overtake the bike. The poor old open-topper ends up in the sea, and of course when Norman does catch up with the man, it turns out to be the wrong bike! The bus was apparently hired for the film, with the conductor being played by actor Gordon Rollings. The stony-faced driver is uncredited, as is one Helen Mirren, who briefly appears in her first film role later on. FEL 214 seems not to have survived, although sister vehicle FEL 215 has been preserved.

Austin & Rover

Two beautiful adverts scanned from issues of The Geographical Magazine published in 1948. That for Austin comes from the November edition and includes the 2-door A90 Atlantic model, at that time not actually in production. It was intended for the North American market, as part of the frantic post-war export drive, but was not a success; just 350 out of nearly 8,000 Atlantics actually crossed the Atlantic.......... Many ended up in the colonies or in Europe, whilst before long, they were being cannibalised for spares, their engines also being used in the Austin Healey 100. It is thought that only around sixty survive today. Dinky Toys also bought out a model of the car in various colours. The A70 Hampshire and the two Rover saloons look much more traditional.

Crown Wallpapers

A jolly advert that appeared on the back cover of the April 1958 issue of Practical Householder magazine

Kent Walton presents...............

ITV World of Sport's wrestling commentator Kent Walton was also a disc jockey on Radio Luxembourg, presenting a couple of shows including the Honey Hit Parade (so named as it was sponsored by Honey magazine). This album, bought recently for 50p, features thirteen tracks as chosen by Kent, released to celebrate the show's first birthday in 1962, with contributions from singers such as Petula Clark, Miki & Griff, Lonnie Donegan and Benny Hill. As I don't have immediate access to a record player (still to be retrieved from the loft), most of the songs can fortunately be heard on YouTube.

Although Kent Walton was best known for his commentating, being involved for an impressive 33 years until 1988, he also produced several sex films in the early 1970s, using a pseudonym. It was said that the action in these films was not too far away from that seen in the wrestling ring................

Gilbern Cars

An Advert for Fujicolor film dating from 1973 (remember when 100ASA was 'fast'?), appearing in the September issue of Photo Technique magazine. Gilbern Cars didn't last much longer than the advert, going bust some six months later. The car itself is a Mark III Invader model.

Brian Walker

A book that has been sitting on my bookshelf for many years is a 1968 copy of How To Be a Motorist and Stay Happy' by George Haines. It is a very funny look at the trials and tribulations of car-ownership and how to survive it. Although I have never actually been a driver (I've driven a steam locomotive further than I have a car - never let your dad try to teach you!), the subjects covered seem quite familiar, such as learners, the Sunday driver and even down to avoiding authority and road rage, everything I suppose, except speed cameras. (I do recall reading of an early motorist, caught speeding by two constables using a stop-watch, however).

It was the illustrations accompanying the text that have always attracted me, the artist being Brian Walker, who, according to the notes on the dust-jacket, was better known for his 'decorative atmospheric drawing' and can play the tuba. A Google search reveals that he later drew for DC Thomson comics,  and later for IPC in Whizzer & Chips. His drawings seem to capture the period well. Enjoy.