That’s nice then that Arthur’s name is still visible in the ghost sign. Viv.
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Ghost signs of Birmingham
- Thread starter Gez
- Start date
Somewhat sad that all the fancy building details at the roof line and around the windows have been defaced by neglect, upvc windows , meter boxes and a cheap shop front. Those Victorian buildings must have looked quite smart when new.
It is quite worthwhile taking a trip out of town on the upper deck of a bus and looking above all those tacky shop fronts on the radial inner-city roads, plus that is where most of the ghost signs live.
It is quite worthwhile taking a trip out of town on the upper deck of a bus and looking above all those tacky shop fronts on the radial inner-city roads, plus that is where most of the ghost signs live.
There’s a business idea - ghost sign hunting trips ! Viv.
pjmburns
master brummie
A photo without the sign visible on Steve's thread of photos
OLD BIRMINGHAM PHOTOS FROM STEVEBHx
still in 1980, 101 Oxhill Road, love the Textile Wholesalers selling car coats and rally jackets !! ( what happened to them). Trying to work out what happened to the roof - shape and pitch all looks wrong. Like the back of the terrace houses on the left also.
birminghamhistory.co.uk
That’s odd Janice. So between 1980 and 2021(or even earlier) the whitewashed brick must have been cleaned up and the old ghost sign revealed underneath! You can see where the security alarm was attached between the ‘N’ and the ‘I’ in “Danish”. Viv.
For ease of ref here’s Steve’s post showing the building from his thread. Thanks for the reference Janice. You can still see traces of white paint in places. Viv.
A Sparks
master brummie
There is actually someone who does tours of the ghost signs in my part of London!
DavidGrain
master brummie
This was the October 2008 view showing that the white was the background for the estate agents sign.
pjmburns
master brummie
The earliest streetvew is 2008 and the brickwork has been cleaned but the sign is covered by an advertising board. You can just ,ake out the word "bacon" at the bottom.
It is odd and I did double check I had the right place.
pjmburns
master brummie
David - I think that sign is a board if you zoom in on the front you can see what look like screws.
pjmburns
master brummie
Just to tie up loose ends. I think he died in 1913 so unconnected to the war. He was only 38.
Could the Diaper sign have survived under the white paint, and despite that white paint being removed, because it was a special permanent inky-type paint? I suppose it would have to be highly water repellant. Don’t know much about paint properties except matt, emulsion and gloss ! It’s strange after all these posts about ghost signs I’ve not once stopped to think about what was used to paint them. Viv
pjmburns
master brummie
Re Diaper sign: It is odd - I hadn't thought about it but , as you say, must have been tough and water repellent to have survived. Especially when you think how long some of those signs have lasted to be still visible.
I did wonder if I had the right place but both are 101 so must be.
Wonder if whoever had the white paint removed knew about the sign?
I did wonder if I had the right place but both are 101 so must be.
Wonder if whoever had the white paint removed knew about the sign?
Seems slightly odd that the paint was removed at all. Viv.
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Just thought. You posted a photo of the occupants in 2008 Janice. They were estate agents. So maybe they knew what it involved and had specialists who removed the paint. Viv.
pjmburns
master brummie
Went into Acock's Green this morning and went via Shirley Road (usually I come back that way) - travellng in the opposite direction I spotted this sign. I wasn't able to stop and take a photo todayso this is a streetview. Next time I go I hope to be able to get a photo from closer to the sign.
RobT
Acemeccanoman
There's plenty of debate out there about “ what is a ghost sign”. I personally don’t think we need to be too prescriptive about it. After all, the majority of signs have a good chance of becoming ghost signs once the business/service has moved on/disappeared and the sign is exposed to the elements and no longer maintained.
One thing that this thread has shown is the enthusiasm in deciphering what is no longer fully visible and how helpful it can be to have a clearer, earlier view of the sign. So in my view, any that are showing signs of neglect where the named business no longer exists/has moved on could usefully be included.
Viv.
One thing that this thread has shown is the enthusiasm in deciphering what is no longer fully visible and how helpful it can be to have a clearer, earlier view of the sign. So in my view, any that are showing signs of neglect where the named business no longer exists/has moved on could usefully be included.
Viv.
This one is next to the Royal Oak on Holyhead Road. The sign may have been uncovered in 2020 following refurbishment of the Royal Oak. Previously a substantial bill board was in position (indicated by the green area) which may have helped to preserve the Barbers Teas sign. Viv.
Pedrocut
Master Barmmie
Remember the one in Manor Road, here posted by Frothblower…
Post in thread 'Ghost signs of Birmingham'
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/ghost-signs-of-birmingham.40355/post-566507
Post in thread 'Ghost signs of Birmingham'
https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/ghost-signs-of-birmingham.40355/post-566507
Greengrocers get accused of putting in apostrophes where they aren't needed, grocers just leave them out? [Barbers Tea]
