Ghost Signs

I like nothing more than to appreciate those professional works of art that have been left over from post war London. Like this Ghost Signs advertisement from the Hovis days when a bread shop existed here in Islington’s Camden Passage. Today the bakery shop has given way to a trendy art gallery although the sign writer of those bygone days has left his mark well and truly on the brickwork displayed above the Tadema Gallery. Even a couple of extractors and some parallel wood battens cannot displace this time capsule of a masterpiece.

This fine shop doorway complete with area railings with all the eloquent beauty of eighteenth-century architecture including a window box displaying summer flowers. As interesting as this corner shop may be I am drawn to the old ghost sign of Barbon Close W.C.1 where the notice informs that G Bailey and Sons Horse and Motor Contractor were once operating in the rear mews. The wonderful thing about London are these old signs that nobody has considered removing even though the horse drawn day's are long gone.

Cars and horses for sale. This old ghost sign from Cedars Road Clapham, reveals the charms of those bygone days when motor cars were the new kid on the block and horses were very much the kings of the road. Once stabling and selling of horses this overlooked auction house only just survives in sign writing form that now houses charming mews homes for the wealthy Clapham set.

Don't be Vague Ask for Haig; This Scotch Whisky sign dates back to the early 1930's and is to be found at the Camberwell Green end of Coldharbour Lane.

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