W. E. Baxter, Lewes

Printers' ghost signs, part 6 (Go to part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7)

Moving up the ladder, we find these signs with gilded letters for W. E. Baxter Ltd, both of which seem to have been repainted shortly before the firm relocated from Lewes to Mitcham a few years ago. The printing and publishing business was originally set up in 1802 by John Baxter, who is credited with the invention of the composition ink roller. One of his sons, George Baxter was a celebrated engraver and printer, who invented a colour printing process that made reproduction of paintings possible and cheap. However George Baxter had very little business sense and died an empoverished man. It was under John's grand-son W. E. Baxter that the family business, which from 1837 included the Sussex Agricultural Express, expanded. In 1888 the firm was successful enough to become a limited company.

W. E. Baxter Ltd
Printers
Founded
1802
W. E. Baxter Ltd
Printers
Bookbinders
Stationers
Order Office
Door on Right
This sign was painted over an earlier one which read: W. E. Baxter Ltd
Printers Stationers
Wholesale Accounts
Bookbinders ...rers
Order Office
... on ...
Location: High Street, Lewes, East Sussex / Picture taken on: 27/06/2009