Hector Grey

Hector Grey was born Alexander Scott in Scotland in 1904. When he moved to Ireland he became a “turf adviser”, selling racing information outside racetracks. It was in this period he became Hector Grey, borrowing the name of a famous Australian jockey of the same name. In the beginning he used the assumed name only at racecourses, but later on when he became a successful businessman, he decided the name was lucky for him.
His was Dublin’s original bargain store. He bought and sold inexpensive light hardware, ornaments and souvenirs goods, travelling to Hong Kong and Taiwan to purchase his stock. The actor Noel Purcell recalled meeting him in Honk Kong. “It very was funny to hear him doing business with a Chinese businessman from whom he was buying his novelties, bric-a-brac and ashtrays.” Hector Grey and Purcell became lifelong friends, often going racing together, including trips to the Grand National in Liverpool.
Ali Hewson, wife of Bono, is a grandaughter.

In his book Penny Apples, Dublin businessman Bill Cullen, who knew him well, recalls Hector Grey’s sales “spiel” on Sunday mornings at his pitch outside the Dublin Wollen Mill at the Ha’penny Bridge on the north bank of the Liffey:

“Yes indeed, me auld flowers, the finest soaps of the Orient … and there isn’t one bar of scented soap in this box, nor is there two bars, nor three, nor four nor five. You have, ladies and gentlemen, six different-bars of scented soap for the delicate skin. leave the carbolic and the Sunlight Soap for the gurriers and try the secrets of this Mandarin Soap for yourself. And the six bars are at half price this morning. Four shillings in Harrods of London but two bob here today. No, I won’t charge you fine people two shillings; let’s reduce it to one shilling and sixpence. No I won’t ask you for one shilling and sixpence on this beautiful May morning, nor will I ask you for one and thruppence.” Hector threw the box in the air and gave three almighty claps with his hands before catching the box again, as he roared, “I’m only charging you one little shilling piece for this beautiful box of soaps. Six bars for one shilling – that’s only twopence each. I’m giving it away and who’s first for the bargain? Thank you sir,” he said as he handed two boxes to one of his sidekicks and took the two bob, which started the ball rolling.”

Bill Cullen adds: “Hector had a flow about him. A way with words. A laugh, a joke, a smile, all with perfect timing. A different spiel for every product. And Dublin came to watch and wonder and to buy.”
Hector Grey died in 1995.