Vinyl Heaven
Spitalfields markets were once a haven for record collectors. Even today you can find second hand records for sale at the Sunday market in and around Brick Lane.
Turntable playing an LP, 1983
Forgive me for the photograph of the record playing but it was with some amazement that I had to explain recently to a teenager what a record player was and how it worked. I love records with their analogue sound and covers with comprehensive notes and innovative art work. Seeing a record moving on a turntable is far more engaging than the flash of a digital light.
Record stall in Cheshire Street, 1985
The gentleman behind the man in the beret is Mr Spicer who, with his wife, ran a record stall every Sunday in Cheshire Street for decades. It catered for every musical taste and offered extraordinary bargains. Practically my entire collection was built from my Sunday browsing in Cheshire Street.
Record stall in Cheshire Street, 1985
The young girl reminds me of my own habit of looking at the box next to the one I was browsing. For some reason the adjoining box always seemed more interesting.
A man examining the condition of a LP. Sclater Street market, 1986
Has this man just found a deleted record which he’s been looking for for years? He went on to purchase the record for 20p and walked away with a smile of satisfaction.
