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Ghost signs of Birmingham

Thanks Janice and Mike. Mike's 1969/73 image shows the name "John Rossiter Ltd " where the A J Smith sign is today. So Rossiters must have had a sign made to cover the earlier name, effectively preserving it. Viv.
 
Janice
I realise that. I did not put it very well but meant that in my mind I had a glorious picture of a full scale silver motor bike hallmarked AJS to go with the name of its manufacturer. It could happen today if a sheik took a liking to motor cycling (and AJS was still going) - they do have gold plated Rolls Royces .
 
here you go viv...i have posted this on the pally thread but will post it here for clarity...the sign on top would have said the palladium..

opened c1911

Rebuilt as the New Palladium 1927 later shortened to the Palladium.

Closed 1962 and used as a bingo hall untill the late 1970s when it was closed and has remained boarded up since.:(

also a nice photo here of it in better times
 

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Thanks Lyn. So the when ABC Palladium sign was put up they must have covered over the Palladium/New Palladium sign .Then when the ABC sign came down it must have been uncovered. Viv.
 
yes viv i would say thats correct...if you zoom in on this photo you can clearly see the anchor pins for the ABC sign
 

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Robinson and McKewan at number 45 Frederick Street. There was also 45A Frederick Street which was attached to the front of this building, demolished some years ago. From Wikimedia ....

"It forms a grade II listed complex with 46 Frederick St and dates to the early 19th century, when it was built as a large detached house.The earlier house on the site had extensive grounds which were sub-divided into building plots in the late 1870s. 1860 trade directory evidence suggests the house was still in private ownership; by 1875 it is listed as the address of Nathan Henry, wholesale jewellers. Large detached houses, converted to manufacturing use and now much altered and concealed are a significant feature in the Quarter's development. The house itself was remodelled in 1882 by Ewan Harper for Robinson and McKewan, manufacturing jewellers. It has since been converted into offices".
 

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Extracted from Cattell et al "The Birmingham Jewellery quarter"
A House of c1820 was converted c1882 to a manufactory for Robinson & McKewan. man, jewellers & silversmiths. The house was detached , set back from the street and surrounded by landscaped grounds . By 1875 it was The Birmingham Middle Class School. Grounds sold off for development in 1870-1880 and c 1882 house convertd to jewellery works tom plans of Ewen Harper (Feb 1882). House was refronted to make it look like a factory. Style similar to Variety works next door, by same architect. 1889 OS works seem to show two jewellery wotks .implying that it was designed for dual occupancy.
A poor picture of it is in post 19 at https://birminghamhistory.co.uk/forum/index.php?threads/birmingham-1969-73.23229/page-2
 
Thanks Mke. The school probably moved out to new premises as state education provision expanded in the 1880s. A lot of effort given to reprinting the building to make it look like a factory. Be interesting to see inside the building, although I expect most traces of its previous uses will have disappeared. Viv.
 
Next up, High Street Deritend. Above the alleyway, just visible is H. E. PEA.... WORKS EN(TRANCE?). The alleyway is next to 180 High Street Deritend. Looks like a pretty old sign to me. Viv.
 

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In the Kellys 1944-58 no 180 is Harold Edward Peace, sheet metal worker. From 1961-73 (when the last Kellys was produced) it is H.E.Peace (Deritend) Ltd, dust extraction plant
 
Reposting this one. Kingsbury road Erdington.
I can read.... F Bhilton, Brew, Flour.
 

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Not sure when sign would have been written but in 1940 Kelly's directory 624 Kingsbury Road was a Mrs Alice Chilton a grocer. It was next door to the Post Office.
Just checked phone book and it was still Chiltons in 1955.

Janice
 
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That's an unusual one Froth. Don't see many on roofs. Suppose they're more exposed up there. Viv.
 
I think it was not toounusual in the 1920s & 30s. I have seen it a number of times on pictures from then. Have wondered if it was because aircraft had just come in and it was the "new thing" to be viewed from the air.
Now the only places that seem to do it is the top of police cars !!
 
BIP British Industrial Plastics and Beresley House Tyburn road
 

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I brought a lot of my CB stuff from Hewards (Rob Dog's) on the Kingstanding circle now Ladbrokes. Notice the ghost sign above.
 

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They always treated us well!. Have heard some bad things about the place Frothy but the mom fell in love with our twins when they were very young. The son and his wife divorced a while back causing the closure of the shop. Had many a bargain from there over the years!!.
 
Viv - what with the site boarded off, Google Street Map view cars can't get down there! (for recent updates - maybe that will change when the road reopens)

I took this in 2010 when the road was still open (years before the redevelopments started)



 
When was last able to get down Belmont Row in late 2014 I got this



(Belmont Row is blocked off again to the public).
 
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