UK

1001 London Ghost Signs, Mapped

The online map that accompanies the book, Ghost Signs: A London Story, now has over 1,000 pinned signs.

25 Sep 2024

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

X Doesn’t Mark the Spot: Revisiting an Islington Ghost Sign

Correcting the record for the Popham Street ghost sign previously thought to advertise X-Zalia, but now known to be for Nazalia. Photo: Roy Reed.

16 Jul 2024

Brain’s Honest Ale: Lost But Not Forgotten in Cardiff

A wonderful pictorial ghost sign for Brain’s ‘honest’ ales, photographed in Cardiff in the late-1970s by John Jenkins.

10 Jun 2024

W.E. Baxter: A Beautiful Palimpsest in Lewes, Sussex

Layers of lettering in Lewes, advertising the W.E. Baxter printers, bookbinders, and stationers. Photo: David Quay.

5 Jun 2024

A Halesworth Ghost Sign with a Celebrity Connection

A surviving ghost sign for William Frost, the ironmonger grandfather of the late television star Sir David Frost. Photo: Wayne Tanswell.

22 Apr 2024

J.C. Rogers’ Beautiful Fading Fascia in Penzance

A surviving fading fascia for the J.C. Rogers butchers is a real treat in a classic style. Photos: Jon Herbert.

5 Apr 2024

An Eye Test at Bateman’s Bournemouth Opticians

A ghost sign for the former Bournemouth optician, Bateman’s, is a contemporary test for the eyes in Boscombe, Bournemouth. Photo: Paul Godier.

6 Mar 2024

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

Medical and Surgical Home, Catharine Place, Bath

The mysterious location of the Medical and Surgical Home ghost sign on Catharine Place, Bath. Photo: Tim Lindsay.

24 Feb 2024

(Ambu)lances, Navigation Road, York

An apparent ghost sign for Lances on Navigation Road, York, turns out to be something completely different on closer inspection. Photo: Annie Greenhouse.

21 Feb 2024

A Curious Palimpsest: Foster Ltd in Bristol

Small lettering emerging beneath a recently revealed ghost sign for Foster Ltd in Bristol. Photographed by Tobias Newbigin.

10 Feb 2024

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

New Brands on Holborn’s Gillette Palimpsest

New brands on Holborn’s Gillette palimpsest revealed during building works next door.

23 Oct 2022

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

London’s Ghost Signs in the 80s and 90s, by Peter Marshall

Peter Marshall’s collection of London’s ghost signs from the 1980s and 90s are part of a wider set of historically significant images.

10 May 2022

Ice Cream for Health, says J. Boni in Edinburgh

Ice Cream for Health, says J. Boni in Edinburgh, as the 1930s ghost sign is revealed, preserved, and partially covered.

20 Apr 2022

Tooting Ghost Signs for Gowns and Grooves

Digging into the Tooting ghost signs for gowns and grooves revealed on Mitcham Road.

29 Mar 2022

The Donovan Bros Sign at 46 Crispin Street

The Donovan Bros sign at 46 Crispin Street has a fascinating story to tell, and here’s more about proprietor Patrick Donovan and signwriter Alfred Keil.

22 Feb 2022

Unpeeling Layers of Late-Victorian Signwriting

Three layers of late-Victorian signwriting in palimpsest are identified on this South London ghost sign, found on Anerley Road.

2 Feb 2022

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

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

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

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