Prewar Television Shops

[peter_scott]

Assuming Stones were demonstrating televisions pre-war then Norman Pilgrim appears to have been rather less than impressed. Perhaps there was a bit of company rivalry involved.

Peter

[Maestro Maker]

Stone’s (a J&F possibly) had a shop in High Street, Harlesden, London, NW10 when I was growing up there in the 1930s and they sold off odd components in their regular “sales” so I kept a close eye on their window display. My parents bought an electric Smoothing Iron and a “mains electric” Philips radio from them not long after we moved in 1932 to a new house with “the electric” installed having previously lived in one with only a gas supply. These were considered essentials for labour saving and convenience!
This Stone’s was a double fronted shop with a loudspeaker in the ceiling of the doorway and it broadcast to passers-by the BBC news and odd things like the Oxford and Cambridge boat race and football commentaries. These relays were introduced with a statement saying they were copyright BBC broadcasts. I have no recollection of any TVs on display at that time but there must have been when 405 lines started up.
But I do remember, later, perhaps 1937/8, going occasionally to Selfridges in Oxford Street to watch afternoon TV broadcasts with a friend from school - his father was a Dept. Manager there.
We also had a shop a few doors along from home that charged 2 volt accumulators; sold HT batteries and components for wireless set constructors and I allowed to watch the 30 line TV test by the BBC, late at night, demonstrated in their shop window. It was exciting to see flickering movement through a big disc whirling round in front of the cell and the “picture” enlarged by a lens. During the war they had a clear out and gave me one of the mechanical demonstration models chassis and I kept it until I made a proper seven inch TV set ready for the re-opening of the Alexandra Palace service.
This thread IS about pre-war TV . . .?
Cheers
MM

[Maestro Maker]

Just to bore everyone some more I have looked on Google and found that the Stone's shop in Harlesden High St. now appears to be a Butcher's and the accumulator charger's is a Betting shop. The churches haven't changed use though!
Cheers
MM

[peter_scott]

Originally Posted by Maestro Maker

This thread IS about pre-war TV . . .?
Cheers
MM

That and Stone's so you are still well on topic and at the opposite end of the spectrum from boring. Superb reminiscences! Please keep 'em coming MM.

Thanks,

Peter

[alynG1TBL]

All good and interesting info, I am looking through some prewar tram/transport photographs to see if I can find some more TV/Radio shops. Alyn

[murphyv310]

Maestro Maker,
Please Please tell us more! I have read your postings over and over, there are so few here with your experiences and stories, don't keep them to yourself!!

[HamishBoxer]

I agree Trevor,keep it coming!

David

[Heatercathodeshort]

My late mother visited the Kennards department store in Wimbledon Broadway in 1937.
The radio department were giving a television demonstration and my mother told me that she had to join a line of people to enter a canvas 'tent' with a flap on the side. [Rather like something out of 'MASH'] and file past a number of working receivers before exiting at the other end! An official was in charge of the flap to limit the numbers at any one time. Television and Short Wave World for December 1936 gives a list of shops demonstrating and selling receivers and Kennards is indeed mentioned. J.

[murphyv310]

Gamages, now that rings a bell, I am sure my dad bought from them. Did they do Cameras as well?

[peter_scott]

Looking at the 1937 service map it looks as if, the fringe area, Weybridge would have received about 1mV/m.

I think Gamages covered a large spectrum of stuff.

Peter

[murphyv310]

My folks lived in Weybridge for a while then to Walton-on-Thames where I was born.
My Dad was into Radio & TV but lost notion in the 70's.
I think that Gamages was where he bought is Zorki 4 camera.

[mark pirate]

My folks lived in Weybridge for a while then to Walton-on-Thames where I was born.

I was born & bred in shepperton, i used to pick up loads of discarded tv's from Ketts in walton-on-Thames & a couple of shops in weybridge!
I moved to sussex in 1986.
My parents bought thier bush T57 in 1955 from Birkheads in Walton-on-Thames. I wonder if they were going pre war?

[Heatercathodeshort]

Edwin P Fox were situated in Molesey High Street Surrey from pre war days into the 80's [?] They advertised televison before the war in local papers. J.

[Mike Phelan]

Originally Posted by peter_scott

I think Gamages covered a large spectrum of stuff.

Peter

I remember going there when I was about six. They were a huge place and advertised extensively in Exchange and Mart.

Many TV sales were in large furniture stores (like where I worked when I lived in Bath).
Conversely, many radios were sold in bicycle shops. I'm talking about the 1950s, BTW.
Of course, there were radio shops as well, who inevitably graduated to TV and radiograms as well.

[alynG1TBL]

I found this picture, taken in 1950, when the tramway track was lifted. The antenna on Stones was edge on ie facing the photographer in the prewar shot. Please keep the "prewar shop stories" coming many thanks. Alyn

[alynG1TBL]

Also another shot. Alyn

[AlanBeckett]

Alyn,
I must be be bit dim here, but I can't see either the TV shop or the Aerial.
Alan

[Darren-UK]

The Moderators are having the same problem.

[peter_scott]

Alyn,

Could you copy the view of the aerial in the pre-war shot for us?

Looking at the 1955 view the H aerial appears to have its reflector on the left and so I assume it is pointing towards a transmitter off to the right of the photo. I think this would be Ally Pally.

Peter

[Dr-Watts]

I recently found this picture of Dunstable, where I grew up.
Chattells Cycles & Wireless LTD can clearly be seen. It's now a Oxfam shop
Looks like the picture dated from the early 50's judging by the Moggie Minor parked opposite.

Regards

Dr. Dave