Welcome to Words on Walls by Sam Roberts. If you value my research and writing on ghost signs then please make a one-off or regular contribution to keep it going. And thank you to those that have already done so—you’re the best!
Advertising Time Capsules
In a slight deviation from the usual focus on old hand-painted signs, I couldn’t help sharing these sets of revealed vintage posters in London and Paris.
PS. Just weeks later, these incredible ceramic pieces from Madrid also caught my eye. See here and here. And more posters in London here.
A. Moroni & Son
This shopfront reveal in Soho, London, has caught a lot of eyes. The lower portion has been lost but at the time of writing the main fascia has been kept in situ. Some more about this Italian newsagent here (towards the end) and here.
Margherita Fabrizio’s New York State Ghost Signs
Among those that were spotting ghost signs before I knew they existed was Margherita Fabrizio. She has kindly shared her story and photography on the blog.
British Signwriting Competitions
I’ve recently learned of a national signwriting competition run by the National Association of Master House Painters and Decorators. Bertram Hamlyn (the ‘son’ above) swept the board in these on at least one occasion. If you can help with finding more information about the competition, what was involved, how it was judged etc then I would be most grateful.
Martin Holm’s Oslo Ghost Signs
Martin Holm, as Oslo Type, has captured many of the city’s historic signs, including many painted examples. He shared a number with me, although many have since been lost.
Blast from the Past
I’ve written hundreds of blog posts and it’s easy to forget the older ones. Here’s a photo, and perhaps a sign, missing in action: Panasonic (2007). Leads welcomed.
Top of the Tweets
I trawl the ‘feed’ so that you don’t have to. You can follow and tag me here.
They take their ghost signs protection seriously in Bedford.
This tram crashed soon after the driver spotted the ghost sign.
Pillar ghost sign, San Francisco, researched here [Paywall] by San Francisco Ghost Signs.
Colour added to these 1917 French shop fronts.
And Lewisham in black and white in 1922.
Thank you for reading Words on Walls by Sam Roberts. If you value my research and writing on ghost signs then please make a one-off or regular contribution to keep it going. And thank you to those that have already done so—you’re the best!