Sign Preservation
Preserving, protecting and restoring ghost signs.
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The Boyd is Back in Town
Boyd Pianos’ ghost sign on Shaklewell Lane, London E8, revealed again after 13 years’ hibernation.
16 May 2025
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Pawned for Good: The Partial Palimpsest in St James
The ghost sign for the J.A. & G.E. Smith pawnbrokers in east London has been painted over and now lost. RIP.
5 Sep 2024
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Milwaukee’s Ghost Signs Revealed in a New ‘Augmented History’ Tour
Augmented reality is used to facilitate a tour of Milwaukee’s HIstoric Third Ward ghost signs, presenting them as they once looked.
1 May 2024
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RIP: The Chronicle, High Street, Crewe
A noteworthy letter ‘r’ on a now-lost ghost signs advertising The Chronicle newspaper in Crewe, Cheshire. Photographed by Alex Hoggarth.
28 Feb 2024
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Evolution of a Wall at Oneida Market, Hudson, New York
A ghost sign for Oneida Market in Hudson, New York, shows the changes that have had to is fragmented appearance. Photos from Gabriel Nieto.
17 Feb 2024
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Holland-America Line, Santander
The retouching of an illustrated ghost sign for the America-Holland Line in Santander, Cantabria, Spain. Photographed by Federico Barrera Garaña / Santatipo.
14 Feb 2024
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Cigarettes Marouf, Ghent, Belgium
Outstanding pictorial ghost sign for Marouf cigarettes in Ghent. Photographed by Edwin Deschepper.
9 Feb 2024
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Why Lead Paint Makes Signs Last: A Toxic Legacy
An account of the enduring (and highly toxic) legacy of lead paint on signs, and sign painters.
27 Jan 2024
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The Shifting Sands of London’s Ghost Signs Landscape
Ghost signs lost, partially destroyed, and ‘brought back’ from the dead in the shifting sands of London’s ghost signs landscape.
15 Jan 2024
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Alighting in Astoria: A Permanent Light Capsules Legacy
A wall of ghost signs brought back to life with a permanent Light Capsules installation.
9 Mar 2023
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The Theft of L. Lambert, Timber Merchant
Report of the Theft of the enamel L. Lambert, Timber Merchant sign on Hoxton Street, North London.
1 Oct 2022
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Chicago Ghost Signs and the Beverly Sign Co.
Fundraising to save two Chicago ghost signs with a connection to the Beverly Sign Co.
6 Aug 2022
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Recovered Letters and Signs on the Streets of Valencia
Exploring Valencia’s historic signs with Juan Nava and his Letras Recuperadas (recovered letters) project.
27 Jun 2022
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Advertising Time Capsules in Paris and London
In the London Underground and Paris Metro these advertising time capsules show original posters dating from the 1950s and earlier, as revealed by works.
29 Dec 2021
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Redfern’s Rubber Heels Make Walking a Pleasure Again in Islington
Between a Redfern’s Rubber Heels ghost sign and its partial whitewash in Islington was a mystery layer with pink background. Until now…
14 Dec 2021
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The Cycle of Life in Warmley, Bristol
Cliff Headford’s ghost sign for Raleigh and Humber Cycles on the former Webb’s of Warmley bike shop in Bristol receives a fresh lick of paint in redevelopment.
25 Nov 2021
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Missing in Action: Barlow & Roberts
Missing in Action: Barlow & Roberts, Southwark Street. The story of this ghost signs, its former location, and apparent loss in 2021.
27 Oct 2021
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Return of the Poland Street Ghost Signs
Art restorers Plowden & Smith have brought back the pair of ghost signs at the entrance to the car park on Poland Street, funded by Westminster Council.
13 Sep 2021
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Council Funds Bile Beans Repainting in Leeds
Bile Beans ghost signs repainted in Leeds by Peter Barber with Council funding after request from Hunslet Carr Residents Association.
26 Jul 2021
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Harry Green’s Modesty Preserved by Michelle ‘Fashions’
Fading fascia revealed in Essex after failed attempt by Michelle ‘Fashions’ to rebrand as Fifty Ways. It was once Harry Green’s tobacco and cigarette shop.
28 Jun 2021
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Sign for the Signs: Two Petitions from Canada and Wimbledon
Petitions to save a ghost sign for Super Servis Shoe Rebuilders in Hamilton Ontario, and a mosaic fascia sign for the Co-Op in Wimbledon, London, England.
21 Jun 2021
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Fundraising to Repaint Fry’s Cocoa Ghost Sign
A woman in Bristol whose house hosts a wonderful ghost sign for Fry’s Cocoa is crowdfunding to have it repainted.
14 Jun 2021
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Pinterest, Planning Permission, and a Prime Advertising Wall
The rapid removal of a Pinterest advertising banner that covered a community mural in Stoke Newington, and the wider ethical issues it raises.
7 Jun 2021
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Save Our Signs: Bath’s Rapid Response Unit
A palimpsest of fading fascias saved by a keen-eyed signwriter in Bath.
24 May 2021
