Next week is the first anniversary of Ghost Signs: A London Story. Working on and publishing the book was a dream come true, and a silver lining to the impact of the pandemic on my life and work.
Our publisher still has a handful of the limited edition covers in their online shop and I’ve heard the book makes a perfect Christmas present 😉.
Always order your own copies from our publisher or your local bookshop, but do leave reviews at online retailers and sites like Goodreads.
Thank You
Thank you to James Cielinski and others that have supported my ghost signs work via the Ko-Fi page, and taking the paid option for these newsletters. These contributions help to keep the lights on, and subscribing to my magazine is another way you can help.
Free Virtual Walk
This Saturday, 29 October, I’m leading a free virtual Stoke Newington Ghostsigns Walk. Join me from 7pm London time. The walk will appear as a live stream on this dedicated events page (no registration required) and this link will add it to your calendar.
New Brands in Holborn
When we were working on the book, we included two signs that would soon be obscured by building work. Roy Reed blagged his way onto one of the sites and got a photo which has revealed the presence of more layers than we’d first identified. I’ve written this up on the blog, and made a note for the second edition of the book.
Chicago Update
Good news on the fascinating pair of ghost signs revealed during building works in Chicago. The fundraiser was successful and they have been safely removed, with one now at the American Sign Museum and the other in storage pending a decision on its final resting place.
Please supported my ghost signs work via the Ko-Fi page, a paid subscription to these newsletters, or by joining my other adventures in sign painting.
Bits from BLAG
BLAG (Better Letters Magazine) is focussed on the practice of sign painting, but many stories are about the history of the craft. Both the print publication and free email newsletter contain a regular ‘Ghost Sign Corner’ feature, and here are a couple of recent online articles that should also be of interest.
Signpainters Don’t Read Signs
Sign Painters Don’t Read Signs is a trip back in time to life on the brush in 1950s America. I have digitised the book and am serialising it online.
Sign Painting in Belsen
When the Belsen concentration camp was liberated a series of signs were painted to commemorate those who lost their lives. These were produced by Reginald Price and their story is told here.
Wanted: Sign Thief
This enamel fascia sign was stolen in North London. I have previously documented the market for these things and so I revisited these themes in response to this recent crime.
Blast from the Past
I enjoy artists’ responses to ghost signs, and one of the earliest I featured was Stuart Free’s painting of the Donovan Bros. sign. (We learned more about the green colour while writing the book.)
Top of the Tweets
I trawl the ‘feed’ so that you don’t have to. You can follow and tag me here. (I can sometimes be found on Instagram too.)
Over & Out
Thank you for reading Words on Walls. Please support this work via the Ko-Fi page, or a paid subscription to these newsletters, or by joining my other adventures in sign painting.