Wight Life 1975
Advertisements from Wight Life magazine, 1975.
In copies of magazines dating from 1975, there are numerous advertisements for shops in the Royal Victoria Arcade. Cornucopia is at Numbers 3 and 4, Royal Victoria Arcade, selling Pottery and Pictures. They were agents for Aynsley China, Athena reproductions, Noritake Japanese China and Stoneware, etc. The arcade had recently opened after major refurbishment, and several antique shops appeared. One article states:
‘Although the number of antique shops in the Ryde Arcade seems to be increasing, they still have that friendly association with each other that is so common to Island antique dealers. I decided to call on two recent additions to the shopping lanes, the first being ‘Scott’s’, Antiques and Gilders. Here I found a miner’s Davey lamp, bearing the name of Ackroyd & Best….This one is made of steel with brass fittings, and is in good working order, Circa 1900. Price £25.
Just along the lanes from ‘Scott’s’ can be found ‘Snow’s’, and they had on show an Edwardian travelling inkwell. The glass inkwell is enclosed in a silver-plated locking case, about the same size as a matchbox. Price of this piece is £3.’
Another antique shop called ‘Recollections’ could also be found in the Arcade at this time. ‘Cascade’ selling Ladies’ fashions, was at Number 14, and ‘The Riding Habit’ with an unusual line in advertisements, was selling riding clothes and accoutrements, at Number 9, Royal Victoria Arcade.
This rather risque advertisement appeared in several issues of the time! ‘Unique’, in the Lanes, was selling Oil Paintings and Sculptures, as well as Enamelled, Crystic, and Hall-marked Sterling Silver Jewellery. ‘Unique’ also sold gold and silver pieces created by Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Designer-Craftsmen.
Thanks to Poppy Higgin for this insight into 1970s Ryde…..
