Roland Worcester .... F G Rayer? - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

saddlestone-man · 1st Sep 2022, 9:25 am

Hello All

I recently came across this book, written by Roland Worcester, first published in 1969 by Hamlyn. Based on the comment on the rear cover, I wonder if this is yet another alias of F G Rayer? At the time it was being written, say 1968-69, FGR was writing books for Arco and Pegasus, and his long association with Babani was about to start. Maybe there was some contract that he couldn't use F G Rayer with other publishers?

As indicated on the cover, all the diagrams are in colour, I think quite unusual for the time, and a wide range of topics are covered.

There are lots of copies of the book on eBay, and it was printed in several editions, so it seems to have been a successful endeavour.

best regards ... Stef

Electronpusher0 · 1st Sep 2022, 11:24 am

According to this website Roland Worcester is indeed an alias of F G Rayer.

https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL19...land_Worcester

Peter

Nickthedentist · 1st Sep 2022, 11:34 am

He also lived near Worcester.

Here, in fact: https://themovemarket.com/tools/prop...cester-wr8-0rj though I suspect it's a bit posher now than when he lived there from the 1950s.

unitelex · 1st Sep 2022, 11:36 am

I've had that book since I was a small child, still got it.
Its a rather good book for beginners, lots of great illustrations and not getting too theoretical.
Helped me learn the subject as a kid.

I had not realised that it was written by FGR, interesting!

Graham G3ZVT · 4th Sep 2022, 5:50 pm

The penname "Roland Worcester" is mentioned in FG Rayer's Wikipedia article along with "R.F. Graham" and "George Longdon".

Junk Box Nick · 5th Sep 2022, 6:06 pm

I received that book as a present in the late sixties. I still have it. It is a bit battered as it lived in my school satchel and is heavily marked with my name to prevent such a lavish item from theft. (Clearly, the ploy worked!)

Mine is a 1969 edition but has a different front cover from the one in the OP. In the inside cover it states: Roland Worcester is a pseudonym that conceals the identity of one of the leading authorities in Britain on the theory and applications of electronics.

It did indeed seem very lavish being printed in full colour throughout on nice paper stock. I also had (and still have) the books on mathematics and The Weather Guide in the series. No price on mine but they were 6s (30p) IIRC.

1st Sep 2022, 9:25 am	#1
saddlestone-man Hexode Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cirencester, Gloucestershire, UK. Posts: 391	Roland Worcester .... F G Rayer? Hello All I recently came across this book, written by Roland Worcester, first published in 1969 by Hamlyn. Based on the comment on the rear cover, I wonder if this is yet another alias of F G Rayer? At the time it was being written, say 1968-69, FGR was writing books for Arco and Pegasus, and his long association with Babani was about to start. Maybe there was some contract that he couldn't use F G Rayer with other publishers? As indicated on the cover, all the diagrams are in colour, I think quite unusual for the time, and a wide range of topics are covered. There are lots of copies of the book on eBay, and it was printed in several editions, so it seems to have been a successful endeavour. best regards ... Stef Attached Thumbnails

1st Sep 2022, 11:24 am	#2
Electronpusher0 Nonode Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bognor Regis, West Sussex, UK. Posts: 2,300	Re: Roland Worcester .... F G Rayer? According to this website Roland Worcester is indeed an alias of F G Rayer. https://openlibrary.org/authors/OL19...land_Worcester Peter

1st Sep 2022, 11:34 am	#3
Nickthedentist Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Oxford, UK. Posts: 17,861	Re: Roland Worcester .... F G Rayer? He also lived near Worcester. Here, in fact: https://themovemarket.com/tools/prop...cester-wr8-0rj though I suspect it's a bit posher now than when he lived there from the 1950s.

1st Sep 2022, 11:36 am	#4
unitelex Hexode Join Date: May 2005 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 498	Re: Roland Worcester .... F G Rayer? I've had that book since I was a small child, still got it. Its a rather good book for beginners, lots of great illustrations and not getting too theoretical. Helped me learn the subject as a kid. I had not realised that it was written by FGR, interesting!

4th Sep 2022, 5:50 pm	#5
Graham G3ZVT Dekatron Join Date: May 2010 Location: Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 18,724	Re: Roland Worcester .... F G Rayer? The penname "Roland Worcester" is mentioned in FG Rayer's Wikipedia article along with "R.F. Graham" and "George Longdon". __________________ -- Graham. G3ZVT

5th Sep 2022, 6:06 pm	#6
Junk Box Nick Octode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: West Midlands, UK. Posts: 1,571	Re: Roland Worcester .... F G Rayer? I received that book as a present in the late sixties. I still have it. It is a bit battered as it lived in my school satchel and is heavily marked with my name to prevent such a lavish item from theft. (Clearly, the ploy worked!) Mine is a 1969 edition but has a different front cover from the one in the OP. In the inside cover it states: Roland Worcester is a pseudonym that conceals the identity of one of the leading authorities in Britain on the theory and applications of electronics. It did indeed seem very lavish being printed in full colour throughout on nice paper stock. I also had (and still have) the books on mathematics and The Weather Guide in the series. No price on mine but they were 6s (30p) IIRC.