Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 6, 2014 10:29:39 GMT 12
I love this story from the Evening Post, 6 April 1944, some 70 years ago today:
MISTAKEN VOCATION.
An officer back from Archangel tells a story of barter and exchange there which he swears is true, says Peterborough. A British merchant seaman went ashore with 10 cigarettes in his pocket. For these the Russians gave him 100 roubles.
With the money he bought 12 wine glasses.
These he took aboard a British merchantman, where the steward, very short of glasses, offered him- two bottles of. gin in exchange.
Tucking them under his arm, he boarded an American merchantman, which was absolutely dry, and swapped them for 6000 cigarettes.
Ashore again he sold these to the Russians for 10,000 roubles. With the money he bought two fine skins, which he sold in London to a fur dealer for £100.
MISTAKEN VOCATION.
An officer back from Archangel tells a story of barter and exchange there which he swears is true, says Peterborough. A British merchant seaman went ashore with 10 cigarettes in his pocket. For these the Russians gave him 100 roubles.
With the money he bought 12 wine glasses.
These he took aboard a British merchantman, where the steward, very short of glasses, offered him- two bottles of. gin in exchange.
Tucking them under his arm, he boarded an American merchantman, which was absolutely dry, and swapped them for 6000 cigarettes.
Ashore again he sold these to the Russians for 10,000 roubles. With the money he bought two fine skins, which he sold in London to a fur dealer for £100.
