Ian Allan book counter

A mouth-watering selection of Ian Allan transport titles at their book counter, apparently at the Meccano showrooms in London, somewhere that I hadn't heard of before. The date of this magazine insert would appear to be around 1962, when the company were probably the most well known transport book publisher in the UK, thanks in no small part to their 'ABC' series of pocket books used by spotters from the 1940s onwards. Looking at this selection, I realise that I have a number of them, although not always in the best condition! There are many well-used copies around, that is, with copious underlings, that unmarked editions can fetch a pretty penny in eBay these days.

On the reverse of the sheet is an order form for the purchase of postcards, mainly from the Locomotive Publishing Company (LPC) series. Ian Allan took over this collection, introduced in 1899, in 1956, subsequently passing to the National Railway Museum in 1992.

Although still a transport book publisher, their catalogue is much reduced and their large stable of magazines have now been sold off.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Allan_Publishing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locomotive_Publishing_Company

The Fireman

The classic Ladybird pocket-size books were a British institution, being produced from 1940 until the 1980s, being finally phased out when the Loughborough factory closed in 1999. They were widely used in primary schools during the 1950s/60s and are very collectable today. Here is a selection of pages from 606B, The Fireman, first published in 1962. Illustrations were by John Berry (1920-2009).

Hillman Super Minx

This car was available in saloon, estate and convertible form from 1961 until 1967. The fold-out brochure dates from around 1962, when the mark II was introduced, the artwork making it look rather low and flat. It was succeeded by the Hillman Hunter from 1966.

This down at heel-looking 1965 Hillman Super Minx was a feature of a local street for some years, but has now gone. The DVLA list EBP 5C as SORN, so is hopefully tucked up in a garage somewhere.......

The London Coal Exchange

This engraving originally appeared in volume II of Old and New London, published in the 1870s, although I scanned it from Victorian Taste, by John Gloag (1962).

The London Coal Exchange, Lower Thames Street, was built 1847-49 to the design of the City Corporation's architect, one James Bunstone Bunning (1802-63). Damaged during the war and effectively made redundant with the nationalisation of the coal industry in 1947, it survived as offices during the 1950s. Although grade II listed in 1958 due to it's cast iron construction, it was demolished in 1962 to allow widening of Lower Thames Street, this despite a campaign for it's preservation headed by John Betjeman. The loss of this building, along with the Euston Arch the year before, were not total failures however, as they brought conservation to the public's notice and kick-started a movement that went on to save St Pancras station and many others. Ironically, the site of the building was to remain unused as the road plans were changed.

Sheba the Queen

Sheba Britt from Eve magazine, 1962

Ronald Searle at Punch

Ronald Searle produced a lot of illustrations for Punch magazine during the 1950s/60s; here are a trio of covers from 1962 & 1963.

Frankie & Benny

Twenty years ago, in April 1992, British comedy lost both Frankie Howerd and Benny Hill. Although they died on consecutive days, 19/20th, Benny was not found until two days later, such was the reclusive life that he was leading by then. Although they were very different in their approach to comedy, Howerd's more hesitant delivery contrasting to Hill's more slick and saucy style, both learned their trade in the West End, radio and then film and television. Benny Hill was also a singer, with a number of  comedy records to his name

By the 1980s, The Benny Hill Show was suffering falling ratings and was becoming increasingly more expensive to make and changing attitudes saw much criticism of the perceived sexism in his comedy. The cancellation of his Thames series in 1989 appeared to be the beginning of the end for him.

Frankie Howerd however, was making something of a comeback during his later years, touring with his one-man show and becoming an unlikely hit with university audiences. I personally love the work of both, Up Pompeii in particular for Howerd, with his little asides to the audience and Benny Hill was probably at his best in the 1970s; trawling through DVDs of The Benny Hill Show for this period has been a delight. Despite the bashing he got in this country in his later years, he remained popular abroad; I have a Hungarian DVD featuring mainly his slapstick routines, brought back by my son off holiday a few years ago. May they both rest in peace and their influence live on.

Frankie Howerd (1917-1992)

The Ladykillers (1955)
With Katie Johnson

The Fast Lady (1962)

The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery (1966)
With Reg Varney and others

Carry On Doctor (1967)
With Anita Harris, Hattie Jacques and June Jago

Up Pompeii (1971)

Up The Front (1975)
From Star Turns, by Barry Took

Benny Hill (1924-1992)

An early publicity shot
From Star Turns, by Barry Took

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)
With Dick Van Dyke and Sally Ann Howes

The Italian Job (1969)

Benny Hill sings Ernie (1971)

The Benny Hill Show (1976)
With Henry McGee

The Benny Hill Show (1976)
With Jack Wright and Jenny Lee Wright

The Benny Hill Show (1976)
With Moira Foot

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................