Sign Initiatives | Ghostsigns

Ghost Letters of Vienna

Ghost Letters of Vienna is a project to photographically document the wide range of fading fascias, and other forms of redundant lettering, on buildings in … Read more

Large piece of painted advertising fading on a wall

Ghostsigns Walking Tours: One Year On

This time last year I was setting out with my crash test dummies on the first ever Ghostsigns Walking Tour in Stoke Newington, London. It … Read more

The Fantastic World of Shopfrontelegy

I’ve recently subscribed to Shopfrontelegy, a post-per-day blog from Vici MacDonald, the photographer and publisher behind Formerly. Given my recent interest in ‘fading fascias‘ the … Read more

Before and after of repainting of Stoakley & Son sign

Ghostsigns Restorations in Cambridge

This is the third and final post in a series documenting recent ghostsign restorations across the UK. It follows coverage of the Palladium Cinema restoration … Read more

Repainted sign on a wall advertising the Palladium Cinema

Restoration of Palladium Cinema Ghostsign in Morecambe

This is the first in a series of three blog posts documenting current activities in the UK to repaint and restore ghostsigns. It is worth … Read more

Sign Painters’ Online Release

After touring the world, including the London run hosted by Ghostsigns, Sign Painters is now available to watch online and as an HD download. You … Read more

RE Ringer General Merchandise store front

Moving Walls to Save a Ghost Sign

In an effort to save this fading and rusting shop front, Beth and Tony Walls moved the entire building 150ft to allow for a highway … Read more

Introducing Better Letters

In the course of my research into painted signs over the last eight years I have become increasingly aware of the brilliant work that is … Read more

Two fading painted signs advertising B.B.Te and Van Houten Cacao

Danish Ghostsigns in Copenhagen

Ghostsigns are a truly global phenomenon and the latest installment on my virtual travels comes courtesy of Hanne Andersen from Copenhagen, Denmark. She says that … Read more

Restored painted sign advertising Knis & Gunnink coffee and tea house in Kampen

Tekens Aan De Wand: Ghostsign Restoration in the Netherlands

Tekens Aan De Wand (Writing on the Wall) is a book documenting the collective efforts of local historical societies across the Netherlands to restore ghostsigns. … Read more

Global Ghostsigns for the 2014 Calendar

The 2014 Ghostsigns Calendar has had some amazing material submitted, all of which is now available to view and like (i.e. vote for) on the … Read more

Painted sign on a wall advertising R Ellis, Ironmonger

Talks and Tours from Ghostsigns

I’m pleased to announce to regular readers of the Ghostsigns blog that I have some events coming up that should be of interest. Ghostsigns at … Read more

Layout of painted sign on paper for Cabury Bournville Cocoa

Lewis & Skinner Exhibit Featuring Ghostsigns and Live Signwriting

The Lewis & Skinner archive is a collection of materials relating to the work of a Melbourne signwriting company from the first half of the … Read more

Hand-painted sign saying 'Sign painters do it in 1 shot'

Sign Painters: The movie, the book and the resurgence

The Sign Painter Movie is now on tour with dates booked in until November, including Scotland and New Zealand for those outside the film’s USA … Read more

Fading hand-painted sign on a Hackney wall advertising Blooms Pianos

Local Listed Status for Hackney Ghost Signs

Love Local Landmarks, an English Heritage-backed project, has been successful in gaining local listing status for two of Hackney’s most famous ghostsigns. The Blooms Piano … Read more

Information flyer for ghost sign hunting seminar

Ghost Sign Hunting: Melbourne Seminar

I am very excited to announce a forthcoming seminar in which I will be speaking alongside Stephen Banham, author of Characters and something of a … Read more

Now published: Hand-Painted Signs of Kratie

Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you what many are tipping for this year’s surprise Christmas best seller, my first book, Hand-Painted Signs of Kratie. It … Read more

A Khmer letter painted in different ways

Sample pages from ‘Hand Painted Signs of Kratie’ book

Here are some sample pages from my forthcoming book, ‘Hand Painted Signs of Kratie’. It is a study of the hand painted form in a … Read more

Hand painted sign in sky blue on a building advertising Radio 2KY

Mark Spurgeon’s Preserve project in ProDesign

I’ve just come across this article in ProDesign magazine which profiles Mark Spurgeon of the Preserve project in New Zealand. I’ve written about Mark’s work … Read more

Signpainter applying red paint to coca cola sign on a white wall

Salisbury Ghost Sign Restoration Project

The Salisbury Ghost Sign Restoration Project is an initiative of three enthusiasts in North Carolina. They have recently unveiled their first two restorations, both for … Read more

Hand painted sign on a building in Melbourne advertising Jans Bros

Melbourne’s Ghostsigns with Finding the Radio Book

Finding the Radio Book is a fascinating piece of work being undertaken by Dr Stefan Schutt of Victoria University. It all started with a piece … Read more

Signpainters as work on the restoration of a ghostsign in Cambridge Ontario

Pandora Range McClary’s Stoves sign repainted in Cambridge, Ontario

The restoration of this ghostsign in Canada is part of an effort to reinvigorate the downtown area of Cambridge, Ontario. Read some observations on the … Read more

What signs say in Cambodia, a selection from Kratie

I’m planning a book to profile a collection of photos of hand painted signs that I’ve taken in my current hometown of Kratie in Cambodia. … Read more

Five years of Ghostsigns and a new website

Today is the 5th birthday of this blog following the first ever post on 16th June 2007. In that time, including my stints on blogger, … Read more