Exeter collector’s dream comes true

When Geoff Stow displayed his collection of post-Second-World-War radios in RAMM’s What Do You Collect? cabinet he never imagined that it would help him find his dream object: a B&O FM Portable from the early seventies.

Collecting is central to museums, quite literally in RAMM’s case: the central Finders Keepers? gallery is dedicated to the collectors that made RAMM a world-class museum and to the ethics of collecting.

The What Do You Collect? cabinet sits alongside these displays showing how important collecting still is and giving an indication of the extraordinary diversity of contemporary collections. Displays have included eggs and irons, cookery and compacts, Hello Kitty and fans, trays and water.

Many of the collectors featured are real experts in their subject and would happily include labelling and interpretation that is beyond the scope of the display: only a few details are given to give an indication of collector’s passion and the breadth of their collection.

One detail given with Geoff’s display of radios was his dream object and this lead to a kind visitor, Roger Brandon from Chudleigh, offering to fulfil his dream.

Roger, a regular visitor to RAMM said: “The radio was a gift from my father when I was at university and I’m delighted that it is going to a good home.” Geoff is overjoyed. “Thank you so much… this is my dream object and it will be the centrepiece of my little collection along with the PYE designed by Robin Day. It’s in immaculate condition and such a wonderful colour; I can’t believe that it survived university so well.”

The Radio display, along with its new centrepiece can be seen in the Finders Keepers? gallery until 6 October. This will be followed by a collection of artefacts from the First World War, starting on 14 October. Find out more about Geoff’s radio collection on his website.