THE FIRST SIX CDS I BOUGHT OVERSEAS (LONDON)

The 1980s was a good time to buy CDs in Singapore. Although 1985 was when I started collecting, it was only in 1989 when I first went overseas in search of recordings which you read about in Gramophone but were otherwise unavailable here. The Polygram (Deutsche Grammophon, Decca and Philips), EMI and Columbia Masterworks (later Sony) labels were well served, readily available in local shops, but not the independent labels, so it was necessary to travel to get them. 

About the cheapest place to buy CDs
in London, according to Melvyn Tan.

London was the world's capital for CD buying, with major chain record stores (HMV, Tower Records, Virgin Megastore) and numerous independent retailers (Music Discount Centre, Harold Moores, Farringdon etc). There was practically nothing you could not find by hunting around, and numerous surprises would await to be discovered.

I actually bought CDs at Wigmore Hall!
They were simply ubiquitous, everywhere you see.

After completing my final professional exams (I passed eventually) in September 1989, I was let loose on London for the first time on my own, with travellers' cheques (remember them?) and credit card in tow. I went to town, literally speaking. The only downside was the Sterling Pound being something like 3.3 times stronger than the Singapore dollar (nowadays it's about half at 1.7 in exchange). So, every purchase was expensive, but rarity and desire trumped the exchange rate. 

Here are the first half dozen CDs which I bought in London in September-October 1989, and those were the days.   

Super-budget supermarket label,
retailing at GBP 2.99, even cheaper than Naxos.
Later found out the performance was by
William Boughton, not Sir Adrian Boult!

Bought at Wigmore Hall for GBP 11
at a Sunday morning concert.
Autographed by Leslie Howard.

Bought at Wigmore Hall at GBP 11
before a Domus concert.
Autographed by all four members of Domus.

A rarity from the now-defunct American
Arabesque label, GBP 11.99 at HMV Oxford Circus.
Later autographed by Ian Hobson.

A bargain at GBP 4.99 at HMV Oxford Circus.
Later autographed by Martin Jones.

A 2-CD box at GBP 19.99 in HMV Oxford Circus,
the most expensive item bought on this trip.
Autographed by Esa-Pekka Salonen after
a concert by The Philharmonia Orchestra.

Again, I happy to report that the CDs are still perfectly serviceable, providing me yet more hours of listening pleasure.