Faded Paint: Trailer for forthcoming signpainting documentary

The Colossal Media Facebook page recently alerted me to this trailer (see below) uploaded by Rick Janzen about a film he's making about the declining art and craft of signwriting.

Vancouver demolition reveals intriguing ghostsign

Photo: Photocat62

Twitter and my Google Reader came alive this week following the demolition of a Vancouver building that left the best part of this 1920s sign clear for all to see.

Frank Jump on 90.7 WFUD

Photo: Frank Jump

Great radio interview with Frank talking about his work, his book and the topic in general.  (A brief mention of this blog shortly after 12 minutes - thanks Frank!)

Record Breaking Roofad

Photo: urban75

I've been sitting on this for such a long time that I almost completely forgot about it.  In fact, Mark sent me details of it back in June 2009 so hands up for my complete slackness on that front!

It is another example of a 'roofad' but one with significant exposure, being situated on top of a stand at Cardiff's former Ninian Park stadium.  Noteworthy visitors who may have been influenced by Captain Morgan's claim to be "the right rum for today's taste" included the pope and Real Madrid.

Miniature Planet: Ghostsigns for Model Makers

I love this, miniature ghostsigns for use on model railways and other small scale hobbies.

Hand Painted Bangladesh

As part of my work with VSO I recently attended a study tour to Bangladesh, a country with many similarities to Cambodia but also many differences.  The study was great but I have to admit that I was perpetually distracted by the sheer quantity and (often) quality of hand painted signage, decoration and other forms that could be found absolutely everywhere.

HAT Archive: January 2012 Additions

A number of new additions have been made to the History of Advertising Trust Ghostsigns Archive.  Some of these are new photos of signs already covered in the archive but many are completely new material for the collection.  Here are a handful of my favourite new additions, the rest can be found by searching for Jan 2012 on the gallery homepage.


Photo: Michael Rank

Vernacular Typography on Kickstarter

I've just backed this project from the Vernacular Typography site on Kickstarter...

More funding is still needed so go here to pledge anything from $1-1,000 and get project-related gifts in return.

RIP: Pressman's Army & Navy Store

Photo: carljohnson

The Hoxsie blog reports the loss of this great sign from Troy, New York.

The Devil is in the Detail: Emmanuel Nouaillier Masterclass

Emmanuel Nouaillier is a French artist I admire for his attention to detail and his focus on Ghostsigns as subject matter. Below are some of his tools of the trade and a detailed exposition of his techniques can be found on this website. Absolutely fascinating as ever...

On Air: Colossal Media Radio Interview

Following Frank's more recent appearance I came across this radio interview with Colossal Media which I missed in February last year.

Belgravia Ghostsign Restored

After (Photo: Belgravia Resident's Association)


Before (2006/7)

News in this week is that a restoration effort has been undertaken in the heart of London's Belgravia.

Hemingway's Ales (RIP)

Photo: Ackers- Schoolboy Hero!!!!

This wonderful gable end sign for Hemingway's Ales (Big Ben's brand) ceased to exist as of 9th March 2011.

Frank Jump on the Leonard Lopate Show (@FadingAd)

Fading Ads Of New York City by Wnyc, New York Public Radio Listen on Posterous

15 minute interview discussing the 'Fading Ads of New York City' book.  Accompanying slideshow here.

Stoke Newington Ghostsigns: History Pin Tour

After discovering the 'Ghost Signs of Louisville' Tour on History Pin I couldn't resist having a go myself. The preliminary result is my first tour, 'Stoke Newington Ghostsigns'.

Ghost Signs of Louisville

Following last week's post about Phil Baines' London lettering tour I came across this 'Ghost Signs of Louisville' tour.

The Signpainter Movie

Photo: Butera School of Art, sign department catalog, year and photographer unknown

Over the last couple of years I've been following developments at the Signpainter Movie project in the USA. It is an independently produced film that will chart the history and work of America's remaining craftsmen (due for release next year).

Peter Hardwicke and Tracy Emin International

Videos of Peter Hardwicke painting the letters 'N' and 'A' from the Tracy Emin International shop in Spitalfields, London. Steady hand!

Public Lettering in Central London: Phil Baines' Walking Tour

Photo: Jennifer Pedler / HAT

This well know Kings Cross palimpsest features in Phil Baines' updated walking tour of public lettering in London (thanks to Geraldine Marshall for the link on the Facebook page). He's now created this as a 'Map Tale' which can be viewed below or in full screen here.

Book News: Liverpool Ghostsigns

Caroline & Phil Bunford have just released this preview of the cover of their forthcoming book Liverpool Ghostsigns.

Talking Walls

Painted Letters by Adam Bletchly

I almost forgot about this project (spotted by Caroline) which involved six lines of a poem being hand painted onto walls around Deptford.

Signs of Cambodia

 Hi-Fis and TV-Video combos on the outskirts of Ban Lung

Over a year since I first wrote about hand painted signs in Cambodia I thought it was time for a brief update.

Ghostsigns in The Biochemist

Press coverage for the project sometimes throws up surprises and I was delighted to see that the October 2011 edition of The Biochemist labelled my site as among the 'Best of the Web'.

Ghostsigns Research from Laura Carletti Scoops Award

Congratulations to Laura Carletti who took home an award for her presentation of the most recent paper on the Ghostsigns Project at the Digital Engagement conference in Newcastle.

Laura Carletti Abstract

Following the recent survey which is part of a larger research project, Laura Carletti has kindly given permission to publish the abstract of a paper she presented to the Digital Resources in the Humanities and Arts conference held back in September. The full title is:

"Enhancement of niche cultural and social resources through crowd-contribution: the creation of the Ghostsigns online archive."

You can download it here and more work in this area will hopefully follow as Laura progresses with her research.