#ghostsigns — Public Fediverse posts

For at least 17 years this former doorway has been bricked in, but the sign above continues to tout the one-time video club and the availability of beers, wines, and spirits.

Location: 209 Crow Lane, Romford, RM7. (Streetview, 2009: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J5p725o8sbVy8usL8)

Photo: Dave Tanner

#Ghostsigns #VideoClub #OffLicence #Signs #Romford

For at least 17 years this former doorway has been bricked in, but the sign above continues to tout the one-time video club and the availability of beers, wines, and spirits.

Location: 209 Crow Lane, Romford, RM7. (Streetview, 2009: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J5p725o8sbVy8usL8)

Photo: Dave Tanner

#Ghostsigns #VideoClub #OffLicence #Signs #Romford

#ghostsigns, la petite moisson de vacances (Bath, Bristol, Birmingham et encore Bristol)

#ghostsigns, la petite moisson de vacances (Bath, Bristol, Birmingham et encore Bristol)

Q: "Best party song?"

A: "Soul Power, James Brown."

I don't read German, but even I understood that response from this 2021 interview with me (translated to German) that just resurfaced in some work I'm doing:

https://totally-london.net/meet-the-londoner-ghost-sign-experte-sam-roberts/

So, what should I have answered in your opinion?

#Ghostsigns #German #London #Funk

Q: "Best party song?"

A: "Soul Power, James Brown."

I don't read German, but even I understood that response from this 2021 interview with me (translated to German) that just resurfaced in some work I'm doing:

https://totally-london.net/meet-the-londoner-ghost-sign-experte-sam-roberts/

So, what should I have answered in your opinion?

#Ghostsigns #German #London #Funk

Lovely pair (trio if you count the strange frame) on a wall in Céret, French Catalonia, sent to me by roving correspondent Anna Rothwell.

At the top is a palimpsest with the most prominent layer looking like "Salon Raymond, Rue du Commerce".

Below is "Chocolat Aiguebelle", which appears to be still trading with the slogan "Your favorite chocolate since 1868".

#Ghostsigns #Palimpsest #Céret #Catalonia #France #Chocolate

Lovely pair (trio if you count the strange frame) on a wall in Céret, French Catalonia, sent to me by roving correspondent Anna Rothwell.

At the top is a palimpsest with the most prominent layer looking like "Salon Raymond, Rue du Commerce".

Below is "Chocolat Aiguebelle", which appears to be still trading with the slogan "Your favorite chocolate since 1868".

#Ghostsigns #Palimpsest #Céret #Catalonia #France #Chocolate

A ghost sign revived (Hood River, OR, 2026)

#photography #fotografie
#fotografia #photographie #photography #monochrome #blackandwhite #streetphotography #architecture #ghostSigns

A ghost sign revived (Hood River, OR, 2026)

#photography #fotografie
#fotografia #photographie #photography #monochrome #blackandwhite #streetphotography #architecture #ghostSigns

@Flaredwaschbar Have the painters kept it exposed out of respect?

Here's some more paper from Bermondsey Street, London SE1.

I've put the accompanying text from the 'Administering the City' chapter of our book into the alt text for the picture.

#Ghostsigns #Bermondsey #London #SE1 #Paper

@Flaredwaschbar Have the painters kept it exposed out of respect?

Here's some more paper from Bermondsey Street, London SE1.

I've put the accompanying text from the 'Administering the City' chapter of our book into the alt text for the picture.

#Ghostsigns #Bermondsey #London #SE1 #Paper

Northampton's Ghosts of Industry project. Capturing fading painted street signs. https://ghosts.mola.org.uk/s/ghosts/page/home #GhostSigns #Northampton #MOLA #histodons

Northampton's Ghosts of Industry project. Capturing fading painted street signs. https://ghosts.mola.org.uk/s/ghosts/page/home #GhostSigns #Northampton #MOLA #histodons

I wrote a definitive guide to San Francisco's Carnation Mush ghost signs. #ghostsigns #sfbayarea

https://sfghostsigns.com/blog/2026/6/27/san-franciscos-carnation-mush-ghost-signs-the-definitive-guide

I wrote a definitive guide to San Francisco's Carnation Mush ghost signs. #ghostsigns #sfbayarea

https://sfghostsigns.com/blog/2026/6/27/san-franciscos-carnation-mush-ghost-signs-the-definitive-guide

One from the archive: 'Ghost Signs for Sale Raise Ethical Questions'.

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2020/10/ghost-signs-for-sale-raise-ethical-questions/

#Ghostsigns #Signs #Vintage #Antique

One from the archive: 'Ghost Signs for Sale Raise Ethical Questions'.

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2020/10/ghost-signs-for-sale-raise-ethical-questions/

#Ghostsigns #Signs #Vintage #Antique

Last week I did an interview with SFGATE about the new Carnation Mush sign in North Beach. 🎉 #ghostsigns #sfbay

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/sf-ghost-sign-discovered-22315252.php

Last week I did an interview with SFGATE about the new Carnation Mush sign in North Beach. 🎉 #ghostsigns #sfbay

https://www.sfgate.com/local/article/sf-ghost-sign-discovered-22315252.php

It's been a big week for ghost sign reveals in San Francisco. Here's another one on Treat Street between 21st and 22nd. #sfbay #ghostsigns https://www.patreon.com/sfghostsigns/posts/new-sign-on-in-161323132

It's been a big week for ghost sign reveals in San Francisco. Here's another one on Treat Street between 21st and 22nd. #sfbay #ghostsigns https://www.patreon.com/sfghostsigns/posts/new-sign-on-in-161323132

This is not a drill! a new Carnation Mush ghost sign has just been revealed in North Beach! #sfbay #ghostsigns https://www.patreon.com/sfghostsigns/posts/new-carnation-in-161316767

This is not a drill! a new Carnation Mush ghost sign has just been revealed in North Beach! #sfbay #ghostsigns https://www.patreon.com/sfghostsigns/posts/new-carnation-in-161316767

I've added a little holding note on the page below with news that the London ghost signs book by @RoyReed and I is being reissued this autumn:

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/publications/book/

All very exciting, and hopefully this one will see many reprintings...

#Ghostsigns #FadingAds #London #Books

I've added a little holding note on the page below with news that the London ghost signs book by @RoyReed and I is being reissued this autumn:

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/publications/book/

All very exciting, and hopefully this one will see many reprintings...

#Ghostsigns #FadingAds #London #Books

RE: https://typo.social/@hdonker/116748517551013623

This is one of many that feature in the wonderful book, Tekens Aan de Wand (Writing on the Wall):

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2014/01/tekens-aan-de-wand-ghostsign-restoration-in-the-netherlands/

I'm still curious as to why these repainting projects have gained such traction in the Netherlands versus other locations?

#Ghostsigns #Repainting #Heritage

RE: https://typo.social/@hdonker/116748517551013623

This is one of many that feature in the wonderful book, Tekens Aan de Wand (Writing on the Wall):

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2014/01/tekens-aan-de-wand-ghostsign-restoration-in-the-netherlands/

I'm still curious as to why these repainting projects have gained such traction in the Netherlands versus other locations?

#Ghostsigns #Repainting #Heritage

One of Clapham's #ghostsigns - a triple layer palimpsest. Gillette Shave For Health and Beauty Iron Jelloids Sunday Illustrated

One of Clapham's #ghostsigns - a triple layer palimpsest. Gillette Shave For Health and Beauty Iron Jelloids Sunday Illustrated

Deane & Co, Chemists - one of Clapham's #ghostsigns

Deane & Co, Chemists - one of Clapham's #ghostsigns

Last month I helped someone that was struggling to track down a copy of our ghost signs book (https://ghostsigns.co.uk/book) to give to their partner as a birthday present. I found one with the special Kickstarter cover in my boxes so arranged to have it sent to them.

Evidently today is the special say as I just received the message below, which is going straight into my positivity folder:

"Just wanted to thank you again — I have a very happy and slightly emotional birthday man today."

PS. With that first edition all sold out, we will have a second edition in a more compact (and cheaper) format available in the late autumn if all goes to plan.

#Ghostsigns #Positivity

Last month I helped someone that was struggling to track down a copy of our ghost signs book (https://ghostsigns.co.uk/book) to give to their partner as a birthday present. I found one with the special Kickstarter cover in my boxes so arranged to have it sent to them.

Evidently today is the special say as I just received the message below, which is going straight into my positivity folder:

"Just wanted to thank you again — I have a very happy and slightly emotional birthday man today."

PS. With that first edition all sold out, we will have a second edition in a more compact (and cheaper) format available in the late autumn if all goes to plan.

#Ghostsigns #Positivity

@les_briques The Walker Brothers one is where it all started for me, so it has a lot to answer for! That's celebrating its centenary around now, and these are the two brothers themselves (Frank on the left, and Herbert on the right), now included among the contextual images on the digital version of the walking tour: https://ghostsigns.co.uk/tours.

Photos courtesy of Jo and Steve Walker, who are very much related!

#Ghostsigns #StokeNewington #London #N16 #1920s

@les_briques The Walker Brothers one is where it all started for me, so it has a lot to answer for! That's celebrating its centenary around now, and these are the two brothers themselves (Frank on the left, and Herbert on the right), now included among the contextual images on the digital version of the walking tour: https://ghostsigns.co.uk/tours.

Photos courtesy of Jo and Steve Walker, who are very much related!

#Ghostsigns #StokeNewington #London #N16 #1920s

I only have very vague memories of the Russell Acott music store in the High Street, will have to visit to site to see if that helps: https://www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/streets/ghost_signs/high_street_acott.html #oxford #ghostSigns

I only have very vague memories of the Russell Acott music store in the High Street, will have to visit to site to see if that helps: https://www.oxfordhistory.org.uk/streets/ghost_signs/high_street_acott.html #oxford #ghostSigns

Good session with @RoyReed this morning running through final tweaks to the forthcoming reissue of our ghost signs book: https://ghostsigns.co.uk/book.

All being well, the new, compact edition from Metro Publications will be out in October/November, the fifth anniversary of the first from Isola Press. That publication marked the conclusion of our joint endeavours during the worst of the Covid crisis in which hundreds of individuals and organisations helped us to create arguably the most comprehensive volume dedicated to fading painted signs.

Stay tuned for more news of the reissue, which will have a very accessible price point of £14.99. It will, of course, be available from the BLAG shop: https://shop.bl.ag.

#Ghostsigns #Books #London

Good session with @RoyReed this morning running through final tweaks to the forthcoming reissue of our ghost signs book: https://ghostsigns.co.uk/book.

All being well, the new, compact edition from Metro Publications will be out in October/November, the fifth anniversary of the first from Isola Press. That publication marked the conclusion of our joint endeavours during the worst of the Covid crisis in which hundreds of individuals and organisations helped us to create arguably the most comprehensive volume dedicated to fading painted signs.

Stay tuned for more news of the reissue, which will have a very accessible price point of £14.99. It will, of course, be available from the BLAG shop: https://shop.bl.ag.

#Ghostsigns #Books #London

@rdp I am loving the secondary copy in the block shade — fabulous.

Is it a ghost sign? It depends on your definition, but I'd vote yes. More on that in this extended riff on the theme:

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Roberts-Marshall-What-is-a-Ghost-Sign.pdf

#Ghostsigns #Signs #SignPainting

@rdp I am loving the secondary copy in the block shade — fabulous.

Is it a ghost sign? It depends on your definition, but I'd vote yes. More on that in this extended riff on the theme:

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Roberts-Marshall-What-is-a-Ghost-Sign.pdf

#Ghostsigns #Signs #SignPainting

It's World Bee Day apparently, so here's a beehive on a ghost sign:

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2021/03/brothers-butterworth-beehive-in-newcastle-under-lyme/

🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝

#WorldBeeDay #Bees #Beehive #Ghostsigns

It's World Bee Day apparently, so here's a beehive on a ghost sign:

https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2021/03/brothers-butterworth-beehive-in-newcastle-under-lyme/

🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝 🐝

#WorldBeeDay #Bees #Beehive #Ghostsigns

New at bl.ag online, 'Field Notes from BLAG: May 2026', with the New York vernacular, brush care, DIY directionals, Barcelona painters, and more from the field.

https://bl.ag/fieldnotes/field-notes-from-blag-may-2026/

#SignPainting #Signwriting #Lettering #Ghostsigns #FieldNotes

New at bl.ag online, 'Field Notes from BLAG: May 2026', with the New York vernacular, brush care, DIY directionals, Barcelona painters, and more from the field.

https://bl.ag/fieldnotes/field-notes-from-blag-may-2026/

#SignPainting #Signwriting #Lettering #Ghostsigns #FieldNotes

Light Capsules with Craig Winslow and Matt Cohen

https://video.bl.ag/w/5M8344rH277UcbK791nGEG

Light Capsules with Craig Winslow and Matt Cohen

https://video.bl.ag/w/5M8344rH277UcbK791nGEG

Digital Ghost Sign Hunting with Kasey Smith

https://video.bl.ag/w/keftfiidBfZPtzHjrogd2J

Digital Ghost Sign Hunting with Kasey Smith

https://video.bl.ag/w/keftfiidBfZPtzHjrogd2J

RE: https://mastodon.social/@UllaMR/116560140206207882

See also wine merchants and brothels: https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2010/01/ancient-ghostsigns/.

And a few more ancient ghost signs: https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2015/02/signs-frescoes-in-pompeii-herculaneum/

#Ghostsigns #Pompeii #Herculaneum

RE: https://mastodon.social/@UllaMR/116560140206207882

See also wine merchants and brothels: https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2010/01/ancient-ghostsigns/.

And a few more ancient ghost signs: https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2015/02/signs-frescoes-in-pompeii-herculaneum/

#Ghostsigns #Pompeii #Herculaneum

@modinmetro And, just inside, this wonderfully preserved pair of ghost signs.

I've put the notes and transcriptions from our book, Ghost Signs: A London Story (https://ghostsigns.co.uk/book), in the alt text.

cc @RoyReed

#Ghostsigns #Leytonstone #Underground #Subway

@modinmetro And, just inside, this wonderfully preserved pair of ghost signs.

I've put the notes and transcriptions from our book, Ghost Signs: A London Story (https://ghostsigns.co.uk/book), in the alt text.

cc @RoyReed

#Ghostsigns #Leytonstone #Underground #Subway