On a slight tangent, here's something I wrote in 2014 about the wider question of what to do with ghost signs in terms of protection, conservation/preservation, and restoration.
Sam Roberts' Monotype Recorder article looking at the issues connected with what to do about ghost signs in terms of conservation, restoration, and protection.
Tom McIltrot at SignCraft (https://signcraft.com ) sent me this lovely ghost sign from his recent trip to Livingston, Montana.
The Livingston / Lumber & Coal sign has been painted over what was once a vertical advertisement for M&O Cigars, with their slogan, “Every Puff a Pleasure”.
Right down at the bottom is the contractor’s imprint, which looks to me like “Toljan Sign & Adv. Co.” in case anyone knows anything about them...
RE: https://typo.social/@matratype/115678182685396837
"Who knew ghost signs could be so fun?" asks @matratype in this lovely piece about collaboratively deciphering the text on one from Pune...
Can anyone decipher anything on this recently revealed ghost sign at 83 Dalston Lane, London E8.
Photo is cropped from the original shared with me by the publisher of our London ghost signs book, Max Leonard at Isola Press (https://www.isolapress.com). He's got one word/layer having 'SANITATION' but nothing more than that...
Streetview here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ymxAkJwsckcBX3Tf8
I was interviewed about ghost signs for a feature that's now published in the current (November) issue of Homes & Antiques magazine: https://www.homesandantiques.com/magazine/november-2025-issue.
This is the opening spread, with the headline image of London's iconic 'Take Courage' sign by @RoyReed
I haven't seen the magazine in the flesh, so look forward to hearing what it's got to say from anyone that reads it before I get a copy over to Spain.
Edward Fison Ltd, Dock St, Ipswich.
This was once the home of the company that became Fisons Ltd. It doesn't explicitly state it, but the Wikipedia entry suggests that 'Edward Fison Ltd' could have been used in the 1920s: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisons.
If anyone knows more, do tell.
Photo: Wayne Tanswell (http://waynetanswell-signwriter.co.uk)
Streetview: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZYrRp7iuZRQLEVVM7
PS. Notes on the sign becoming *more* visible over time here: https://www.ipswich-lettering.co.uk/edwardfison.html
And now over to the Netherlands for the latest ghost sign from Amsterdam Typography:
Slijterij (liquor store) Orpheus on Daniël Stalpertstraat, at the junction with Ferdinand Bolstraat.
Look at this lovely ghost sign from Pune, India, that @matratype sent me. Can you make out the text at the top below the 'Lisha' logo? Pooja notes that:
"The Devanagari text below says brassieres and banians (i.e. vests). And Lisha does appear to be a local brand that deals with them."
My initial guess was something like Glue___, but that's not very vest-like. Could it be possible that the two advertisements aren't related? Seems unlikely?
cc @RoyReed
Here's some #SuperbOwl action: a San Francisco curiosity from the @ghostsigns blog:
https://ghostsigns.co.uk/2024/07/the-mirrored-owl-cigars-of-san-francisco/
Early twentieth century photos show an Owl Cigars sign in reverse on a huge San Francisco wall. But why was it painted like that?
Sam at BLAG
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