TRACKING DOWN HARD-TO-FIND DISCS
Where can I get that record of ...? It’s a question that keeps cropping up even among people whose tastes are for easily obtainable pops and classics. SHEILA FITZJONES provides the answer that can save you the hours of searching that often end in disappointment.
The record industry has undergone a revolutionary upheaval in the past few years, with supermarkets selling 12 in. LPs for 12s. 6d., along with detergents and cheap shoes. But even though the outlets for records are more numerous, there are still some shops worth knowing about if you are anxious to track down a particular type.
CLASSICAL MUSIC
Rimington Van Wyck Ltd.,
42 Cranbourn Street, WC2 (GER 1171) is an excellent shop for classical records. They have a lot of imported recordings from America and Europe as well as their extensive English stock and a large range of remainders and out-of-print records. Their range of operatic recordings is probably the best in the country. They do not deal in second-hand records. Open Mon-Fri 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Half-day Thursday.
Saturday 20 August 1966
Name: Peter Burton
Comment: Appear quite 'highbrow'. Their pale blue, good quality sleeves announce that they deal in "Gramophone Music for the Connoisseur", and that they are "specialists in unique recordings". Further, they claim that "no record is ever touched with a metal needle" (obviously they used fibre needles for demonstrations) and state "Music - the only universal tongue" can be bought from them "in the heart of the West End", where they could be found at 42/3 Cranbourn Street, London WC2. Telephone Gerrard 1171. With the slight pomposity typical of the time, they declare that "To be served intelligently is to be served well".
Name: Dave
Comment: I found this listing in 'The Tatler' dated 20th August 1966:
“Rimington Van Wyck Ltd, 42 Cranbourn Street, WC2 (GER 1171) is an excellent shop for classical records. They have a lot of imported recordings from America and Europe as well as their current English stock and take special orders for foreign records. Their range of operatic recordings is probably one of the best in the country. They do not deal in second-hand records. Open Mon-Sat 9 am to 8 pm. Half-day, Thursday.”
Name: Tony Langford
Comment: In his 1951 book, Record Collecting, Boris Semeonoff recalls visiting this shop, 'A small but famous shop selling mainly new records. One entered by going downstairs on which displayed a notice “Our stock is entirely Classical”.'
In addition to records Rimington specialised in miniature scores. There was a mail-order business located at 28a Devonshire Street. W1. Audition rooms provide radiograms with Thorn needles.
(2024)