Now on Flickr

Following some changes in the terms and conditions of Flickr, I decided to upload my pictures of ghost signs onto that platform, even if the new design looks rubbish (sorry, there is no other word for it!). This is still very much ongoing, with nearly 400 photos so far... and hundreds more to come.

The sets can be seen at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/97938897@N02/sets/
The photos are arranged by location, per London Borough for those in the Greater London area, per county for those outside London, and finally per country for those overseas.

M & J Abrahams Ltd, Hackney

This sign does not look that old but M & J Abrahams Ltd is long gone.

This ghost sign seems to be the only trace left by this business that specialised in ladies' coats and suits.

M & J Abrahams Ltd.
Ladies Coats & Suits
1st Floor

Location: Belsham Street / Pictures taken in May 2013

Sunlight soap and J. G. Chaddock, Weymouth

In a small street away from Weymouth's popular seafront is a very faded ghost sign for Lever Brothers' best selling product: Sunlight soap.

This is not the first time Sunight soap features on this blog and some information about the company and its product can be found alongside the ghost signs seen in Battersea and Upper Clapton.

Additional Sunlight ghost signs published so far include those from Willesden, Highbury, and Ravenscourt Park.

Sunlight
Soap
Largest Sales in the World

Sunlight soap was available at J. G. Chaddock's grocery store. Chaddock certainly allowed Lever Brothers to advertise its product on the wall above his shop and in return got his name and business added below. This kind of arrangement was similar to the one between Hovis and some bakers.

J. G. Chaddock
Family Grocer

Location: Turton Street, Weymouth, Dorset / Pictures taken in May 2011

Adams, Selhurst

What was Adams's activity? Not enough of this ghost sign has survived to be able to answer this question.

...
... Adams
... all for ... [him ?]

Adams's sign covers an earlier one, possibly for the same business.

Location: Selhurst Road / Pictures taken in August 2012

Lea & Co, Gloucester

In spite of being certainly one of Gloucester's largest furniture stores, there seems to be very little information available about Lea & Co.

Lea & Co

The name 'Lea' also appears on the weathervane.

Lea's Buildings

I have not found when Lea & Co was founded but the name of "the complete house furnishers and bedding specialist" appears in several documents dated from the 1880s to the mid-1950s. It is possible Lea & Co kept on trading for several years after that last mention.

Lea & Co
House Furnishers

Location: St Aldate Street and Northgate Street, Gloucester / Pictures taken in July 2010

Haircut, Ababi

If I had stopped each time I saw a hand painted sign in Bali, I wouldn't have had time to enjoy the amazing scenery, the fascinating temples or to sample the delicious food. Like in other countries of the region, their density is extremely high indeed. Still I managed to photograph some while passing, including this one in Ababi, a small village just above the water palace and rice terraces of Tirtagangga in the eastern part of the island.
It was relatively easy to guess this sign advertised the services of a hairdresser. First there was the pair of scissors and "rambut" reminded me of "rambutan", the delicious fruit with a hairy skin. Once back home I could check in the dictionary and found that "potong rambut" means "haircut". "Hairdresser" would have been "penata rambut".
The second line of the sign tells the opening time. "Buka" means "open" and "siang" refers to the part of the day that corresponds to the late morning and early afternoon, roughly between 11:30am and 3:00pm (in Indonesia, the day is divided between "pagi", "siang", "sore", "malam", and "tidur").

Potong rambut Buka siang

Haircut Open 11:30am - 3:00pm

Location: Ababi, Bali, Indonesia / Picture taken in May 2013

Boot and shoe specialist, Anerley

This ghost sign was painted over an earlier one but it is impossible to tell what was written originally.

Boot & Shoe
Specialist
Repairs With Despatch

Location: Anerley Road / Picture taken in June 2008