Tuesday, September 12, 2017
We've got a monopoly. We don't need to serve you.
American Radio History has added a few issues of a strange BBC program guide from the 30s.
Most radio stations issued monthly program guides, with a mix of 'behind the scenes' and 'personality profiles' to keep you closely linked to the station. Because the guide was basically advertising FOR the station, it didn't carry other advertising.
BBC's guide was an exception. BBC itself operated by forcible subscription, so you'd think the program guide would be covered by the price you were forced to pay. Nope, the guide added insult to injury with dense advertising.
Including this bizarre ad from Schweppes.
A harmonium player of Leicester,
when the zest of Schweppes Tonic posseicester,
Used to stand up and beat
on the keys with her feet
till the Vicar and Sidesmen suppreicester.
Schweppes is still around. This product isn't:
Note that the price is 21 shillings nuppence. (About 80 bucks today.) Radio equipment was considered 'luxury goods', so it was often priced in guineas (21 shillings) instead of pounds.
The 'luxury' was a cover story; actually the price in GN sounded cheaper. 47 GN = £49/7/-. Pretty much the LSD version of our $49.99 trick.
¶ 3:50 AM 
A harmonium player of Leicester,
when the zest of Schweppes Tonic posseicester,
Used to stand up and beat
on the keys with her feet
till the Vicar and Sidesmen suppreicester.
Schweppes is still around. This product isn't:
Note that the price is 21 shillings nuppence. (About 80 bucks today.) Radio equipment was considered 'luxury goods', so it was often priced in guineas (21 shillings) instead of pounds.
The 'luxury' was a cover story; actually the price in GN sounded cheaper. 47 GN = £49/7/-. Pretty much the LSD version of our $49.99 trick.
¶ 3:50 AM
