Ghostsigns

Advertisements painted by hand directly onto the brickwork of buildings were once a common sight in cities, towns and villages across the country. The rise of printed billboards soon led to their decline but many still survive, often faded, clinging to the walls that host them. These ‘Ghostsigns’ provide a window into the past and evidence of the craftsmanship that once went into their production. However, they are disappearing fast, often due to weathering but also as a result of property development and demolition.

Over 2009/10 a nationwide effort set out to photograph, research and archive the last survivors of this fading advertising medium. The results of this work are now available via this series of online galleries hosted by The History of Advertising Trust.

Over 600 examples have been documented for this archive, touting many different products and services, some familiar, some less so. Alongside advertisements for Hovis, Nestle and Boots are others for Bile Beans, Puck Matches and Peterkin’s Custard. The collections also showcase the styles and techniques employed by the craftsmen responsible for producing the signs. The diversity of lettering forms and illustration highlight the skill and flair that each signwriter once brought to their work, in contrast to the ‘carbon copy’ posters of today.

The archive can be explored in the galleries based on different categories of products. It is also possible to find specific brands, locations, photographers and featured words using the search function below.

Explore and enjoy!

This archive has been made possible via sponsorship from Rank Hovis.

Further resources and a blog documenting recent research can be found at www.ghostsigns.co.uk.