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Davey Source List
To sit browsing the post-war editions of Boy’s Own Paper for its succession of Davey designs is a dangerously absorbing occupation, not only in discovering his radio articles, but in unfolding its wholesome if sometimes cloying world of Biggles, bicycles and Brylcreem. Gilbert Davey’s own books appeared from 1957 onwards, and were a direct result of the popularity of his BOP articles. With their clear writing style and good diagrams, they extended his popularity among young constructors. |
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Here is as full and accurate a list as possible of the publications in
which Gilbert Davey’s designs appeared (I don’t guarantee that it's
exhaustive). Page numbers are only given for Boy's Own Paper
as contents lists were often omitted during the years of paper shortages;
they also assist when inspecting bound twelve-month volumes such as are
kept by the British Library. All the other books listed below have
easily-accesible contents pages; I have described content very briefly.
For those in which Davey was one of several contributors,
I have listed his articles and given brief descriptive notes.
Please note: If you decide to construct any of the sets described or referred to on this page, it is your own responsibility to ensure that you work safely and that equipment (especially mains-operated sets or power supplies for battery sets) is soundly built and adequately housed. Whilst considered safe by the standards of their day, some designs may not be considered safe by modern standards. If you are in any doubt about your understanding of the information given or referred to on this page or about your ability to work safely, you should seek the help of a qualified person. 1: The Boy’s Own Paper
Jack Cox took over as Editor of BOP in 1946, and soon recruited Gilbert Davey on to his panel of experts. The partnership lasted through the magazine’s remaining years until closure in 1967, and Cox continued to edit Davey’s books until his (Cox’s) death in 1981. The first contribution I found under (G W) Davey's name was in the February 1948 edition. At first, many of his articles were very brief, even lacking circuit diagrams and components lists, due to post-war paper shortages. Interested readers had to send for full details. Later, reprints of popular designs were freely available, and the demand for them prompted publication of the first edition of Fun with Radio. Volumes embracing twelve monthly editions ran from each October to the following September. The British Library's bound collection conforms to this, except where a change of published size has prompted binding in two volumes. The editions containing articles by (or items relating to) Gilbert Davey are as below. If an edition is not mentioned, it is known not to contain anything by or relating to Davey. A few editions are listed below as missing from the British Library's bound volumes. Each of these is additionally annotated in one of three ways: Not checked; Checked (after purchase elsewhere) - no relevant content; Relevant content noted (after purchase elsewhere). |
| Vol 70, 1948 Feb | Build a crystal or one-valve radio - see DAVEY 1-VALVER HISTORY page | p18 | ||
| Vol 71, 1948 Nov | Adding a valve to a one-valve set | p41 | ||
| Vol 72, 1949 Oct | Radio set construction for beginners | p26, p67 | ||
| 1949 Nov | A simple 3-valve radio set - see YOUR OTHER DAVEY SETS page | p22 | ||
| 1949 Dec | All-mains 2-valve receiver (1) | p52 | ||
| 1950 Jan | All-mains 2-valve receiver (2) - adding a wave trap | p49 | ||
| 1950 Mar | A high-fidelity amplifier | p46 | ||
| 1950 Jul | A holiday radio set - see YOUR OTHER DAVEY SETS page | p46 | ||
| Vol 74, 1952 Mar | A portable cycle radio - see YOUR OTHER DAVEY SETS page | p48 | ||
| Vol 75, 1952 Oct | All-wave radio receiver | p30 | ||
| Vol 76, 1954 Jul | Midget a.c. mains 2-valve set | p45 | ||
| Vol 78, 1955 Dec | Bedside radio | p73 | ||
| Vol 79, 1957 Jan | Make a cold valve [transistor] radio | p50 | ||
| Vol 80, 1957 Oct |
Transistors will Boost Home Radio Sets - features 2-transistor set.
Complete construction details appear in magazine from now on. |
p44 | ||
| 1957 Dec |
Hobbies for the Modern Boy -
unattributed article, probably by Jack Cox, with note on Gilbert Davey's popularity |
p39 | ||
| Vol 83, 1961 Jan | Fun with Radio (1) Tuning coil and crystal set - same coil used in 2 following designs | p36 | ||
| 1961 Apr | Fun with Radio (2) Make a transistor receiver | p44 | ||
| 1961 Jun |
Fun with Radio (3) Make a One-valve Receiver -
stylish one-valver in metal chassis - see DAVEY 1-VALVER HISTORY page |
p61 | ||
| Vol 85, 1962 Oct |
"Gift supplement" compiled by Davey, including portable pocket transistor set,
homebrew coil (Jan 1961) details repeated, kits discussed |
Centre-
stapled? |
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| Vol 86, 1963 Nov |
BOP crystal super -
including "Lady Jayne" hair clip heat sink idea - see GILBERT DAVEY page |
p20 | ||
| 1963 Dec |
Build a Twin Transistor for 48/- (£2.40) "Gift supplement" blueprint and text
Missing from British Library collection. |
Centre-
stapled |
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| 1964 Jan | Missing from British Library collection. Checked. | - | ||
| 1964 Feb | Missing from British Library collection. Not checked. | - | ||
| 1964 Mar | Missing from British Library collection. Not checked. | - | ||
| 1964 Apr |
Build an Electronic Guitar for 65/- (£3.25) "Gift supplement" blueprint and text
Repeated in Boy’s Own Annual 1966 Missing from British Library collection. |
Centre-
stapled |
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| 1964 Jun |
Missing from British Library collection. Checked.
(This discontinuity in British Library collection is doubtless due to upheaval on Purnell's takeover. The May 1964 edition is present, and was checked.) |
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| Vol 87, 1965 Feb | BOP Ether Ranger (1) 1-valve short-wave set - EF80 worked with batteries | p22 | ||
| 1965 May | BOP Ether Ranger (2) - addition of 2-transistor amplifier | p22 | ||
| Vol 88, 1966 Jan | BOP Ether Ranger (3) - upgrade to 3-valve mains set | p34 | ||
| 1966 Feb | BOP Ether Ranger (4) - final notes | p34 | ||
| 1966 May | Radio round-up, including Sinclair Micro FM and Z12 amplifier, Goodmans Twin Axiette loudspeaker | p11 | ||
| 1966 Jul | BOP Pegasus (1) 3-transistor short wave superhet + diode detector | p10 | ||
| 1966 Aug | Stern reply to reader asking about short wave transmitter | p48 | ||
| Vol 89, 1966 Oct | BOP Pegasus (2) Adding a wavechange | p30 | ||
| 1967 Feb | Last edition - missing from British Library collection. Not checked. | - |
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2: BOP offshoot publications - all edited by Jack Cox
Under Lutterworth Press ownership, from 1957 to 1963, Jack Cox produced several compendiums (the majority of which included articles by Davey) under the titles The Boy’s Own Book of Hobbies and The Boy’s Own Companion. Until the Second World War, each year’s editions of BOP had been available bound together as The Boy’s Own Annual. The title was revived in 1964 under Purnell’s auspices and, like the Companion that preceded this revival, featured repeats of articles and stories from BOP (as long as the parent publication lasted). Unlike the Companion's small fabric hardback format, the new Annual was in large format with glossy illustrated boards. As far as I can tell, there were five editions of Boy’s Own Companion as below; then the revived Annual took over. It is often asserted (notably by Davey and Cox themselves) that the Annual was revived in 1959; however the 1964 edition as below is numbered "1". They clearly viewed the Companion as the practical beginning of the revived Annual. Designs were often revised between their first appearance in BOP and re-appearance later. This means that it is not always possible with certainty to link designs from BOP with designs as they appear in the offshoot publications. The Boy’s (Own) Book of Hobbies |
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| 1957 |
The Boy's Own Book of Hobbies, Lutterworth Press
The Boy's Own Radio Den - mentions transistors but does not recommend them for amateurs |
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| 1966 |
The Boy's Book of Hobbies, Lutterworth Press
The Boy's Own Radio Den - revised article notes decline of valves; 2-transistor receiver featured The slight change of title for the 1966 edition was presumably because by then Lutterworth Press no longer owned the rights to the “Boy’s Own” titles. |
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The Boy’s Own Companion
Numbers 1 (1959), 2 (1960), 3 (1961) contain no articles by Davey. |
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| 1962 |
The Boy’s Own Companion No 4, Lutterworth Press
Make a One-valve Receiver - repeat of BOP article June 1961 - stylish 1-valver in metal chassis with homebrew coil |
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| 1963 |
The Boy’s Own Companion No 5, Lutterworth Press
Pocket transistor radio - repeat of BOP Oct 1962 set? |
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| The Boy's Own Annual | ||
| 1964 |
The Boy’s Own Annual (numbered 1), Purnell & Sons Ltd
Make this Super Crystal Set for 20/- [£1] - ferrite rod, crystal detector, OC72, earphone, repeats "Lady Jayne" heat sink idea from BOP Nov 1963 article |
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| 1965 |
The Boy’s Own Annual (numbered 2: Christmas 1965), Purnell & Sons Ltd
The BOP Ether Ranger - repeat of BOP Feb 1965 article |
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| 1966 |
The Boy’s Own Annual (numbered 3), Purnell & Sons Ltd
Build the BOP Electronic Guitar - earphone as pickup, to transistor push-pull amplifier, probably repeat of BOP Apr 1964 article |
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| 1967 |
The Boy’s Own Annual (numbered 4; 1968), Purnell & Sons Ltd
Pegasus short wave transistor radio - repeat of BOP Jul 1966 article |
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| 1968 |
The Boy’s Own Annual (numbered 5; 1969), BPC Publishing/Purnell Books
Make this Transistor High-Fidelity Amplifier - 10-watt transistor amplifier kit with mains power supply; cryptic advice to protect inquisitive pets, especially cats, from the mains with a cabinet! |
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| 1969 |
The Boy’s Own Annual (no year designation or number), BPC Publishing/Purnell?
Photo-electric burglar alarm – unattributed, author unverified |
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| 1971 | Not checked - missing from British Library collection | |
| 1972 |
The Boy’s Own Annual (no year designation or number), BPC Publishing/Purnell?
Article: “Practical Science” includes circuit for a transistor tester – unattributed, author unverified, but in Davey’s style The Annuals published in 1970, 1973, 1974, and 1975 contained no articles by Davey. Note: the numbering and naming of successive editions of the new Annual was not rigorously adhered to in later editions, and the safest course is to look at the year appearing next to the copyright (©) symbol, which are those quoted on the left in the list above. |
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3: Gilbert Davey’s own books – all edited by Jack Cox
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Fun with Radio first appeared in 1957, and featured many of the
Davey designs that had appeared in BOP since the war. It
ran to six editions as follows, with content revised to take account of
component availability and the move to widespread use of transistors.
The diagrams for the first edition of Fun with Radio were drawn by Robert Barnard Way, a prolific writer and illustrator of books on practical subjects since the 1930s, among which are several Ian Allan railway books for young people. Sadly he died not long after Fun with Radio was first published, and the new diagrams required for subsequent editions and for Gilbert Davey's later books were drawn by B Gerry. Some of Barnard Way's diagrams were re-used for some years, though. More info on Robert Barnard Way at http://bearalley.blogspot.com/2008/10/r-barnard-way.html The success of Fun with Radio led to other Fun with . . . titles, as listed below. Revisions of the designs appearing in these books may either have taken place during the lifetime of BOP (up to 1967), or afterwards as later editions were prepared. Thus (as noted above for the BOP offshoot publications) it is not always possible to link designs from BOP with designs as they appear in the Fun with . . . books. |
| Fun with Radio | ||
| 1957 | Fun with Radio, Edmund Ward Ltd | |
| 1959 | 2nd edition, Edmund Ward Ltd (Not checked - missing from British Library collection) | |
| 1961 | 3rd edition, Edmund Ward Ltd (Not checked - missing from British Library collection) | |
| 1965 | 4th edition, Edmund Ward Ltd | |
| 1969 | 5th edition, Kaye & Ward Ltd | |
| 1978 |
6th edition, Kaye & Ward Ltd
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Valve-based radio designs (from the Beginner's One-valver to a five-valve
superhet) were featured in every edition (the superhet was dropped from the
sixth edition). Transistor designs are believed to have been included
from the second edition onwards. Amplifiers were also included.
(For details of the evolution of the Beginner's One-valver, see
DAVEY 1-VALVER HISTORY page.)
A further edition is often seen listed on booksellers’ web sites, ostensibly published in 1986 by Sportshelf & Soccer Associates, New Rochelle, New York State, USA. Doug Brown has kindly looked into this, and his findings suggest that Sportshelf & Soccer Associates imported many English-language books for the USA market - many years after publication in some cases - and distributed them with their own stamp on the title-page. |
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| Fun with Short Waves / Short Wave Radio | ||
| 1960 | Fun with Short Waves, Edmund Ward Ltd | |
| 1968 | Fun with Short Wave Radio, Kaye & Ward Ltd | |
| 1979 |
Fun with Short Wave Radio, 3rd edition, Kaye & Ward Ltd
A variety of valve and transistor short-wave designs for battery and mains (no transistor designs in the first edition). Chapters on short-wave practice and communications receivers. |
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| Fun with Electronics | ||
| 1962 | Fun with Electronics, Edmund Ward Ltd | |
| 1972 |
2nd edition, Kaye & Ward Ltd
A little more theory offered than in most of the Fun with . . . series. Beginner's one-valver version. Chapters on amplifiers, loudspeakers, record players and tape recording. Chapter on the impact of electronics upon modern life. |
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| Fun with Transistors | ||
| 1964 | Fun with Transistors, Edmund Ward Ltd | |
| 1971 |
2nd edition, Kaye & Ward Ltd
A variety of transistor designs including short-wave and superhet receivers, and transistor amplifiers. |
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| Fun with Hi-Fi | ||
| 1973 |
Fun with Hi-Fi, Kaye & Ward Ltd
Chapters on the history of hi-fi, tuners, the Mullard amplifiers, record decks, loudspeakers, and designs for tuners and amplifiers. A book for the teenage-to-adult enthusiast with a slightly deeper pocket. |
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| Fun with Silicon Chips in Modern Radio | ||
| 1981 |
Fun with Silicon Chips in Modern Radio, Kaye & Ward Ltd
Introduction to silicon technology, designs for medium-wave receivers and amplifiers, kits, loudspeakers. |
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4: BBC Leaflets
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| 1957 Sep |
Making Your Own Radio Set
The Studio ‘E’ instruction leaflet - see THE STUDIO ‘E’ LEAFLET page. |
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| 1959 Mar |
Making your Own Transistor Pocket Radio Set
Leaflet accompanying the Focus series (copy held by BBC Written Archives Centre) |
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There may also have been leaflets to accompany Gilbert Davey’s ITV appearances. |
