15 Dec 2013

Palimpsest Revealed in Yelvertoft

Fading painted sign on a wall for A.E. Harvey & Son
Photo: Andy Draper

This palimpsest has recently been revealed by the removal of the butcher’s sign that once covered it. However, the fate of this ghostsign is yet to be determined. Perhaps it will be covered again, and inadvertently protected, by a new sign. Or maybe the new residents will take a liking to the old sign and keep it or restore it.

The contrast in styles between the two visible signs is worth noting, the stately blocks of J.H. Elliott up against the hasty script of the more recent A.E. Harvey & Son. The text in the yellowed patches on either side is difficult to decipher, something beginning ‘BU…’ on the right, perhaps Builder or Butcher? The sign that covered it was for a butcher so it could be that the painted sign was an earlier iteration of this. Suggestions in the comments…

Fading painted sign on a wall for A.E. Harvey & Son
Photo: Andy Draper

Subscribe to my newsletter for news, events and projects from the world of ghost signs. I curate the newsletter roughly monthly and welcome submissions.