This is an extended list of books on Ghostsigns and other related topics with links to buy where available. If you have any suggestions for future listings please get in touch.
- Ghostsigns (English Language)
- Ghostsigns (French Language)
- Signwriting
- Advertising
- Miscellaneous
Ghostsigns (English Language)
A small collection of books specialising in Ghostsigns, all bar one focused on the USA.
Ghost Signs: Brick Wall Signs in America, William Stage, 1989
This is the definitive English language book on the subject of hand painted wall advertising. Published in 1989 it is a well researched book with a good balance between photographs and text. While focused on the USA much of the text is relevant to the subject matter globally. If you only buy one book, make it this one. (2007 review here.)
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
The Painted Ad, William and Margaret Stage, 2011
This is a book of postcards of some of the best examples from Stage's collection. The photography is excellent and perfectly captures the charm and beauty of Ghostsigns. This is not the book to buy for any written context but is worth having for the photographs alone.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
This is a book of postcards of some of the best examples from Stage's collection. The photography is excellent and perfectly captures the charm and beauty of Ghostsigns. This is not the book to buy for any written context but is worth having for the photographs alone.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
Fading Ads of New York City, Frank Jump, 2011
72 beautifully photographed signs from New York are captured in this book, alongside extensive research into their place within the city's commercial history. In addition there are Frank's reflections on the significance of the survival of these signs in relation to his own survival against the odds in fighting HIV/AIDS. Further depth is added by a series of nine written pieces from a variety of contributors (including me!). Full review here.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
72 beautifully photographed signs from New York are captured in this book, alongside extensive research into their place within the city's commercial history. In addition there are Frank's reflections on the significance of the survival of these signs in relation to his own survival against the odds in fighting HIV/AIDS. Further depth is added by a series of nine written pieces from a variety of contributors (including me!). Full review here.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Liverpool Ghostsigns, Caroline & Phil Bunford, due July 2012
The UK's first Ghostsigns book is due for publication in July 2012 and features a foreword from me. A full review will be posted as soon as a review copy becomes available. Brief mention on the Ghostsigns blog here.
Rating: TBC
Pre-order from Amazon
The UK's first Ghostsigns book is due for publication in July 2012 and features a foreword from me. A full review will be posted as soon as a review copy becomes available. Brief mention on the Ghostsigns blog here.
Rating: TBC
Pre-order from Amazon
The Writing on the Wall, Ben Passikoff, 2006
This is a self published book focused solely on the Manhatten district of New York but even with this small area there was sufficient content for a book. While some of the reproduction of the photos is of a low quality there is some excellent contextual text adding a commentary to the product themed chapters. Full review here.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
This is a self published book focused solely on the Manhatten district of New York but even with this small area there was sufficient content for a book. While some of the reproduction of the photos is of a low quality there is some excellent contextual text adding a commentary to the product themed chapters. Full review here.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
Ghost Signs of Arkansas, Cynthia Lea Haas & Jeff Holder, 1997
This book is very similar in content to William Stage's book above and I would only suggest buying it if you have already read this. There are some interesting new photographs but the text is limited in scope compared to Stage's book. One for the enthusiasts and/or residents of Arkansas.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
This book is very similar in content to William Stage's book above and I would only suggest buying it if you have already read this. There are some interesting new photographs but the text is limited in scope compared to Stage's book. One for the enthusiasts and/or residents of Arkansas.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Colorado Wall Dogs, Laura Russell, 2006
This is another self published book that was originally done as a collectors edition print run of 50 specially bound volumes. The photography is of a good quality and there are 54 examples from across the state. There is little accompanying text so once again this is really for enthusiasts and/or residents of Colorado.
Rating: Good
Buy from Lulu
This is another self published book that was originally done as a collectors edition print run of 50 specially bound volumes. The photography is of a good quality and there are 54 examples from across the state. There is little accompanying text so once again this is really for enthusiasts and/or residents of Colorado.
Rating: Good
Buy from Lulu
Ghost Signs of the Capital District, Chuck Miller, 2010
Another self published book focused on New York with a handful of interesting signs and brief pieces of research about the companies advertised. Only really worth it is you've collected everything above and are looking for more content from New York and the USA.
Rating: OK
Buy from Blurb
Another self published book focused on New York with a handful of interesting signs and brief pieces of research about the companies advertised. Only really worth it is you've collected everything above and are looking for more content from New York and the USA.
Rating: OK
Buy from Blurb
Ghostsigns (French Language)
Three excellent photographically focused books of French signs which don't require the ability to read French to get a lot from them. 
Les Murs Réclames: 150 Ans de Murs Peints Publicitaires, Bruno Ulmer & Thomas Plaichinger, 1986
While I can't read French this is a beautiful book with 130 pages of high quality photography. I can only assume that the significant quantity of accompanying text is of a similarly high quality.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
[This appears to be a very difficult book to buy. I was able to track a copy down from a Canadian seller via abebooks so it may be worth checking there if you want to get one (they also have a UK site). At the time of writing, there was a copy available on Amazon France.]
While I can't read French this is a beautiful book with 130 pages of high quality photography. I can only assume that the significant quantity of accompanying text is of a similarly high quality.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
[This appears to be a very difficult book to buy. I was able to track a copy down from a Canadian seller via abebooks so it may be worth checking there if you want to get one (they also have a UK site). At the time of writing, there was a copy available on Amazon France.]
Anciennes Publicités Murales, Marc Combier, 2006
As with the book above this is a beautiful photographic documentation of Ghostsigns from France. Most of the photography is of a very high standard and while there is less text than the book above I imagine it is similarly informative (Combier appears to be the current expert on the French side). It isn't necessary to read French to get a lot from this book.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
As with the book above this is a beautiful photographic documentation of Ghostsigns from France. Most of the photography is of a very high standard and while there is less text than the book above I imagine it is similarly informative (Combier appears to be the current expert on the French side). It isn't necessary to read French to get a lot from this book.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Typos en Liberté, Marc Combier & Henri Mérou, 2007
While this book adopts a more wide ranging perspective on French signage (it includes tiling, house names and post boxes) there are a significant number of examples of hand painted signs, both large scale advertising and shop fronts. As with Combier's book above the quality of photography is very good but I would suggest picking up Anciennes Publicités Murales first before buying this one.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon (France)
While this book adopts a more wide ranging perspective on French signage (it includes tiling, house names and post boxes) there are a significant number of examples of hand painted signs, both large scale advertising and shop fronts. As with Combier's book above the quality of photography is very good but I would suggest picking up Anciennes Publicités Murales first before buying this one.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon (France)
Signwriting
Books on the history of signwriting and also some 'how to' guides for those wishing to take up the craft either professionally or as a hobby. It is also worth reviewing the American Sign Museum's list of vintage books.
Signwritten Art, A.J. Lewery, 1989
This is a thorough and comprehensive history of the art and craft of signwriting. It offers an excellent and easy to read commentary from the ancient roots, through to a look forward at what the future might hold. The entire book is accompanied by photographs and illustrations which complement the text perfectly.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
This is a thorough and comprehensive history of the art and craft of signwriting. It offers an excellent and easy to read commentary from the ancient roots, through to a look forward at what the future might hold. The entire book is accompanied by photographs and illustrations which complement the text perfectly.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Signpainters Don't Read Signs, Syl Ehr, 1957
Great collection of anecdotes from a jobbing signpainter, including some basic lessons for apprentices and a reworking of the Roman alphabet. Full review here.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Great collection of anecdotes from a jobbing signpainter, including some basic lessons for apprentices and a reworking of the Roman alphabet. Full review here.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Dublin's Vanishing Craftsmen, Kevin Corrigan Kearns, 1986
This book has one chapter all about the signwriters of Dublin. However, it is a fascinating account with quotes from the last survivors used to illuminate the text. If you have bought a copy of Signwritten Art and want something with a more personal perspective then this is worth getting too.
Rating (chapter): Excellent
Buy from Amazon
This book has one chapter all about the signwriters of Dublin. However, it is a fascinating account with quotes from the last survivors used to illuminate the text. If you have bought a copy of Signwritten Art and want something with a more personal perspective then this is worth getting too.
Rating (chapter): Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Learn How to Paint Signs, Wayne Tanswell, 2009
This is the only book I know of that gets into the 'teach yourself' territory. Written by the still working Wayne Tanswell it offers the remote apprentice a basic introduction to the equipment required, different brush strokes and guidelines on layout. It also talks very briefly about working directly on walls.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
This is the only book I know of that gets into the 'teach yourself' territory. Written by the still working Wayne Tanswell it offers the remote apprentice a basic introduction to the equipment required, different brush strokes and guidelines on layout. It also talks very briefly about working directly on walls.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
Traditional Signwriting Freestyle Guide, Wayne Tanswell, 2010
Very much a follow up to Wayne's first book (see above) this gets into the detail of crafting some of the more common and distinctive letter forms that a signwriter will need to master. Using a colour chart to direct the freehand signwriting the reader is taken through script, old english and roman lettering before finishing off with a number of general tips and tricks.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Advertising
A small collection of books providing historical accounts and context including advertising, posters, enamel signs and ancient hieroglyphs.
Very much a follow up to Wayne's first book (see above) this gets into the detail of crafting some of the more common and distinctive letter forms that a signwriter will need to master. Using a colour chart to direct the freehand signwriting the reader is taken through script, old english and roman lettering before finishing off with a number of general tips and tricks.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Advertising
A small collection of books providing historical accounts and context including advertising, posters, enamel signs and ancient hieroglyphs.
The Signs of Our Times, John Tylee, 2005
This is an excellent, colourful and highly visual account of the evolution of outdoor advertising. It's one weakness, as with many advertising histories, is it's failure to cover the subject of hand painted advertising on walls.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
This is an excellent, colourful and highly visual account of the evolution of outdoor advertising. It's one weakness, as with many advertising histories, is it's failure to cover the subject of hand painted advertising on walls.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
The Art of Street Jewellery, Christopher Baglee & Andrew Morley, 2006
This is a definitive and comprehensive coverage of the related field of enamel signage. There are hundreds of images and a very detailed written commentary around them. Fascinating.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
This is a definitive and comprehensive coverage of the related field of enamel signage. There are hundreds of images and a very detailed written commentary around them. Fascinating.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Enamel Advertising Signs, Christopher Baglee & Andrew Morley, 2001
This is a much shorter and less detailed coverage of the related field of enamel signage. If you don't want a big in depth book and would prefer a short sharp (and cheaper) introduction to the subject then this is the book for you. Otherwise, go for the one above for a deep dive into the subject.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
This is a much shorter and less detailed coverage of the related field of enamel signage. If you don't want a big in depth book and would prefer a short sharp (and cheaper) introduction to the subject then this is the book for you. Otherwise, go for the one above for a deep dive into the subject.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Advertising in Britain, T.R. Nevett, 1982
Commissioned by the History of Advertising Trust this is a thorough and comprehensive history of advertising in Britain (albeit without much on hand painted wall advertising). Most of the coverage is post-industrial revolution and, being published in 1982, there isn't any coverage of more recent developments in the field. That said, this is the definitive book in this area.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Commissioned by the History of Advertising Trust this is a thorough and comprehensive history of advertising in Britain (albeit without much on hand painted wall advertising). Most of the coverage is post-industrial revolution and, being published in 1982, there isn't any coverage of more recent developments in the field. That said, this is the definitive book in this area.
Rating: Excellent
Buy from Amazon
Remember When: A Nostalgic Trip Through the Consumer Era, Robert Opie, 2006
Presented in a chronological order this is a great romp through some iconic advertising and packaging from the Robert Opie collection, now housed at the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising in Notting Hill. While it isn't definitive it is a great distillation of the key themes and trends across different periods of our consumer history.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
Presented in a chronological order this is a great romp through some iconic advertising and packaging from the Robert Opie collection, now housed at the Museum of Brands, Packaging and Advertising in Notting Hill. While it isn't definitive it is a great distillation of the key themes and trends across different periods of our consumer history.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
Smoke Signals: 100 Years of Tobacco Advertising, Judy Vaknin, 2007
This is a great documentation of the evolution of tobacco advertising with some wonderful images and useful accompanying text. The material is drawn from the Library of Historic Advertising at Middlesex University and is presented in an easy to read way.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
This is a great documentation of the evolution of tobacco advertising with some wonderful images and useful accompanying text. The material is drawn from the Library of Historic Advertising at Middlesex University and is presented in an easy to read way.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
All Made Up: 100 Years of Cosmetics Advertising, Judy Vaknin, 2007
As with tobacco advertising above, this is a great documentation of the evolution of cosmetics advertising with some wonderful images and useful accompanying text. The material is drawn from the Library of Historic Advertising at Middlesex University and is presented in an easy to read way.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
As with tobacco advertising above, this is a great documentation of the evolution of cosmetics advertising with some wonderful images and useful accompanying text. The material is drawn from the Library of Historic Advertising at Middlesex University and is presented in an easy to read way.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Sacred Signs: Hieroglyphs in Ancient Egypt, Penelope Wilson, 2003
A bit of a detour this one but an interesting and easi to read account of the use of signs in ancient Eygpt. One for the real specialists perhaps?
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
A bit of a detour this one but an interesting and easi to read account of the use of signs in ancient Eygpt. One for the real specialists perhaps?
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
Miscellaneous
A variety of books either featuring Ghostsigns or about related topics. 
Ghost Fields of East Anglia: Capturing Memories of the Aerial War 1942-45, Martin W. Bowman, 2007
This is a photographic journey through the now deserted airfields of East Anglia which were home to many US squadies during the 2nd World War. One of the most interesting things they left behind were the many hand painted murals on buildings near to the airfields. This book captures these wonderfully, alongside many other images of the fields themselves.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
This is a photographic journey through the now deserted airfields of East Anglia which were home to many US squadies during the 2nd World War. One of the most interesting things they left behind were the many hand painted murals on buildings near to the airfields. This book captures these wonderfully, alongside many other images of the fields themselves.
Rating: Very Good
Buy from Amazon
Letters from England, Peter Ashley, 2004
This is a nice little book documenting many different forms of public lettering from across the country. It is quite short and has one chapter on hand painted wall signage and advertising.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
This is a nice little book documenting many different forms of public lettering from across the country. It is quite short and has one chapter on hand painted wall signage and advertising.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Unmitigated England: A Country Lost and found, Peter Ashley, 2006
A slightly random mix of signage, ephemera, architecture and countryside from the photographic collection of Peter Ashley.
Rating: OK
Buy from Amazon
A slightly random mix of signage, ephemera, architecture and countryside from the photographic collection of Peter Ashley.
Rating: OK
Buy from Amazon
More from Unmitigated England, Peter Ashley, 2007
Another slightly random mix of signage, ephemera, architecture and countryside from the photographic collection of Peter Ashley. This one has a chapter on lettering which makes it marginally more interesting than the first book above but if that's your interest then go for the Letters from England book.
Rating: OK
Buy from Amazon
Another slightly random mix of signage, ephemera, architecture and countryside from the photographic collection of Peter Ashley. This one has a chapter on lettering which makes it marginally more interesting than the first book above but if that's your interest then go for the Letters from England book.
Rating: OK
Buy from Amazon
More London Peculiars, Peter Ashley, 2007
More signage, ephemera and architecture, this time focused on London and with a number of Ghostsigns featured.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
More signage, ephemera and architecture, this time focused on London and with a number of Ghostsigns featured.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Derelict London, Paul Talling, 2008
Lots of photos and accounts of forgotten and falling down parts of London. Features the occasional Ghostsign. Original 2008 review here.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Lots of photos and accounts of forgotten and falling down parts of London. Features the occasional Ghostsign. Original 2008 review here.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
Suggs and the City: My Journeys Through Disappearing London, Suggs, 2009
If you can ignore the slightly too frequent 'jokes' and direct speaking to the reader type comments then this is a really interesting dig around London's little known pieces of history. Everything from sporting venues to west end tailors are covered and it offers some insights into the type of place that London was when the signs were being painted by hand onto the walls.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
If you can ignore the slightly too frequent 'jokes' and direct speaking to the reader type comments then this is a really interesting dig around London's little known pieces of history. Everything from sporting venues to west end tailors are covered and it offers some insights into the type of place that London was when the signs were being painted by hand onto the walls.
Rating: Good
Buy from Amazon
London Above Eye Level: Glimpses of the Unexpected, John R Murray, 2007
Mainly focused on architectural features (does have one Ghostsign) this book takes a stroll round London under the premise that many discoveries await those who take the time to look up - something Ghostsign spotters know all too well.
Rating: OK
Buy from Amazon
Mainly focused on architectural features (does have one Ghostsign) this book takes a stroll round London under the premise that many discoveries await those who take the time to look up - something Ghostsign spotters know all too well.
Rating: OK
Buy from Amazon
