I had no idea the rag-and-bone man was still a thing into the 70s. Was that just in the UK? I've certainly never heard of it in the US during that time period.
I’ve no idea about the US - but the Rag & Bone man, including their equestrian transportation, were a thing in London, England, right up until the late eighties, if not early nineties. They used to use magnificent Shire horses, with all the brass tackle.