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Just the other week we asked for
Page 26
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examples of long-serving readers following a letter from Frank Petch (CM 7-13 Nov); we're delighted to report that a reply has flooded in. Jean Sharpies of J Sharpies & Son haulage in Herefordshire writes: "Just thought i must write and tell you how much my late father, Dennis Sharpies, always looked forward to his copy of Commercial Motor. He first started reading your magazine at the age of 11 in 1919, and continued reading every issue published up until his death at the age of 88 years in May 1996, a total of 77 years.
tit. 1 hari /, C, .,.
He had his first lorry in February 1925, and I thought you might find the enclosed photocopy of the receipt for his truck of interest. I have of/en wondered what the contents of the first issue of Commercial Motor were like but (doubt if anyone still has a copy; or do they by any remote chance? I think it would be wonderful and most interesting should a copy survive, maybe one of your older readers inherited a copy from their great grandfather?"
As far as we can make out the receipt reads: "One Overland chassis complete with windscreen assembly, front doors and body cowl (although this could be cover, camel or comet judging by the writing) scuttle dash, heavy springs and electrical equipment."
All this came to a bargain price ocE161 5s 6cl—plus a delivery charge of 23 from Manchester to Hay-on-Wye.
Thanks to Jean Sharpies for troubling to write in—can anyone out there break her father's astonishing record? And the good news is that we have a complete archive of CMdating back to our launch in 1905 (see Time Traveller, above).