Photographer: Sam Roberts(Click this image to enlarge).
(Click this image to enlarge).
| Ghostsigns Archive
CLICK HERE FOR THE GHOSTSIGNS ARCHIVE
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.
For the last year a nationwide effort has been underway to photograph, research and archive the last survivors of this fading advertising medium. The results of this work are now available via a series of online galleries hosted by The History of Advertising Trust, a charity committed to the preservation of our advertising heritage through its extensive collections and educational work.
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 History of Advertising Trust thank Rank Hovis for their generous sponsorship of the archive.
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If you have relevant images you would like to donate to the Ghostsigns Archive please read the Terms of Gift and complete HAT's Offer of Gift form which can be downloaded from this page - see below. The form should then be completed, signed and posted to the History of Advertising Trust (at the address supplied on the form).
For more information on how to get involved please see:
http://www.ghostsigns.co.uk/involve
To receive a regularly updated blog on the project please see:
http://www.ghostsigns.co.uk/blog
Thank you for your contribution to this project.
To get in touch with us please see http://www.ghostsigns.co.uk/contact or email enquiries@hatads.org.uk with any questions.
Please click here to download Terms of Gift and HAT’s Offer of Gift form |
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