Friday 30 September 2011

Marshall, importer of segars, Finsbury Park

The vast majority of signs posted on this blog are directly painted on walls. However the one advertising Marshall's business consisted of cement letters, painted in white, and inserted into a thin concrete layer resting against a brick wall.

Marshall.
Importer of Segars
Wholesale & Retail
Islington

A couple of letters have fallen, showing the recess in which they were fitted. Some letters may have been replaced at some point as some look slightly newer and the level of finish is not the same everywhere.


The rather unusual spelling 'segar', instead of 'cigar', was actually relatively common until the second half of the 19th century, even if several publications pointed it was incorrect as the word came from the Spanish 'cigarro.'

Location: Finsbury Park Road / Pictures taken on: 01/04/2008

3 comments:

Oh That's Cool said...

These are so interesting, i've always loved deciphering half disintegrated signs like these. Bath, UK is wonderful for it!

Sebastien Ardouin said...

Thanks Hannah for your comment. Indeed Bath has many fascinating examples, some of which have already been posted on this blog.

Sam Roberts (Ghostsigns) said...

I believe this one has now been whitewashed over...