Memorabilia Trade Shop Signs

I still have my parents' 24K77 here, sat under a blanket (a set that also masqueraded as a Hitachi to get around the European ban on Japanese teletext sets). It would be nice to get it running again - I have a spare chassis culled from another K-series set.

Another addition to my Trade Shop memorabilia collection for the museum.

For quite a while now, I've been looking for ab illuminated clock sign. About 10-years ago, I just missed out on a Mullard clock sign. That was in the shape of a CRT with the clock in the centre of the screen.

Last week this one popped up on eBay and I made the vendor an offer he was unlikely to refuse. I was very nervous about it surviving the trip via a courier, but I'm pleased to say the vendor took great care, and it arrived today intact.

The tray at the top would have contained the original lamp, which at some point in the past has been removed. The sign below slots up into the tray, secure by two nuts, the light would then illuminate the glass via edge filtration. I think this would look rather nice and will set about returning this feature by fitting a light source.

The clock would originally have been an electric movement, this has long since been replaced by a battery unit. This movement is not as bad as it might seem, having a nice sweep second rather than stepped.

Overall, it's in quite remarkable condition considering its age, I imagine it dates from late 50s early 60s.

I've yet to decide where it will be situated, quite possibly it will be above my workbench. Rather than a whole raft of images, of all angles, considering the recent developments, here are just a couple.

@crustytv 

That reminds me of our Ekco/Ferranti dealership and the BBC clock.

A little research, the sign is likely from the early 1950s. As you rightly pointed out, Frank, the sign has the BBC clock.

https://cleanfeed.thetvroom.com/3528/features/the-history-of-the-bbc-trade-test-transmission-part-1-4/#jp-carousel-4618

There used to be one of those hanging above the entrance into Gerry Wells' workshop years ago. I seem to recall the original electric movement was very temperamental.

A warm LED light strip added to the Ferranti light box, this filters down through the glass edge to illuminate the sign.

As my museum is my attempt at a period 70s shop recreation, I've now managed to obtain some sales plaques to add that little extra authenticity. Just need to figure out all the correct period pricing.

Now you know why I've been adding all the original prices to my repair blogs, as and when I find out. The box contained aluminium holders, numerals for pricing, inlay cards for description and glass insert for protection.

Another couple of trade sign memorabilia added to the museum, one I recently found on eBay (sid), another (Gloria) was kindly donated by a new VRAT member @rumbelows1. This time the company is Rumbelows, Sid offering a free SodaStream when you rent a new remote colour TV, and Gloria offering finance terms.

Ahhh .. .. the nostalgia 😎 

The hunt still continues for others like D|E|R Radio Rentals & Multi Broadcast.

Ah Rumbelows, I worked at a firm in Bolton in the early 1960’s, named Bulloughs after the owners, shops in many Lancashire towns. They were taken over by I think it was Thorn and joined  Rumbelows group of shops.

It could be Rumbelows took Bulloughs over and then were consumed by Thorn, not sure.

@crustytv I remember those characters on TV adverts in the early 1980s.  When did Rumbelows stop offering rentals? I heard they had their accounts moved to one of the other companies owned by Thorn so they could concentrate on retail sales.

@richardfrommarple The episode of Bottom "Culture" is centred around the man from Rumbelows taking the telly away due to lack of payment for the rental. Considering this was made in the 90s the TV prop looks more like a Decca Bradford!

I remember in the 90s Rumbelows definitely still did rentals. During their "Don't pay any more Mrs Moore" ad campaign there was an alternative "Try rental Mrs Trental" or something like that.

@wayned 

I remember the "Don't pay any more Mrs Moore" campaign, but the chain folded not much longer.

Many thanks to Paul, vrat member @rumbelow1 for his very kind donation to the crustyTV museum.

A wonderful rumbelow van sign, joins the Telefusion and Rediffusion ones I already have in the museum and shown earlier in this thread.

Sid and Gloria reunited 😉, now I just need to decide where I shall finally place it, for now here is a temp photo of the sign. Glorious!