Tristan : The Price of Tristan Times
Submitted by Tristan Times (Juanita Brock) 07.05.2005 (Current Article)

The price of Tristan Times isn’t what you think. And, if you wanted to pay currency for it in the early days, there was a surprise in store. Moira Middleton (MM) tells us more.

Photo (c) J. Brock (FINN) - Tristan, where Potatoes were used in place of cash.

THE PRICE OF TRISTAN TIMES

By J. Brock (SARTMA-TdC) and Moira Middleton

King Potato!

The price of Tristan Times isn’t what you think.  And, if you wanted to pay currency for it in the early days, there was a surprise in store.  Moira Middleton (MM) tells us more.

MM:  I thought you may be interested to know that I have a copy of the Tristan Times, copy No 1 dated 6th March 1943, price was 3 Cigarettes or 4 big Potatoes.

Moira’s late husband was part of the Royal Navy garrison, which was stationed there during WW2.  She continues the remembrance.

MM:  He was there for over a year, and spent his 21st birthday there notice of which appeared in copy no. 29 dated 18th September, 1943.  Frank and Clara Glass held a dinner to celebrate the occasion.

Moira was browsing the web-site and saw that the Tristan Times was still in circulation and remembered the original "Tristan Times" which were still in a box of photos etc. that her late husband had kept of his time on Tristan.

The Patches are a popular Saturday venue.