• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Ghost signs of Birmingham

The one I saw was on the recent Google Street maps view, and I'm sure I've seen it from the bus (if I'm looking at it and not reading the Metro!).
 
Now you see it, now you don't ........ Thanks to Google we have two phases of the signs on the corner of Oxhill Road and Windermere Road in Handsworth. Viv.

image.jpeg
 
A BCS threshold sign in a shop doorway on Lodge Road. Viv.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    116.9 KB · Views: 11
Last edited:
hi viv just a small typo its lodge road not hunters road...noticed that BCS sign some years back quite amazing its still there

lyn
 
One (?) of the 'HP SAUCE' signs was removed from the factory in Aston, but are 'HP' and 'SAUCE' still together? Viv.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    92.5 KB · Views: 24
  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    89.1 KB · Views: 23
  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    62.3 KB · Views: 22
  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    63.8 KB · Views: 22
Thanks Janice. So 'SAUCE' must still be in storage. Think Aston Hall wouldn't be the best place for it anyway. And without the 'HP' it might be a bit pointless. Viv.
 
When I was last in the Birmingham History Galleries, the HP sign along with other items had been moved into storage due to the on going vibrations from the Central Library demolition. They didn't want them to get damaged!

Seen in November 2012

 
Thanks Ell. So the HP sign may re-emerge after the library demolition. There was more than one sign. I wonder if someone bought another set? Or maybe the rest ended up in the debris after the demolition of the factory. Someone could have made a few bob out of them today; letters are very collectable. Viv.
 
Two signs on one shop. First we have "Bennett's Furniture Store" and secondly, "Jones 244 Dudley Road". As both are on the same shop, I assume one or both have been uncovered by removing later signs which were once fixed over them.

Hopefully lots more modern signs have covered over much older ones, effectively helping to preserve painted signs like these. Viv.


image.jpeg image.jpeg
 
244 is Bennett's in 1940 Kelly's
Stanley Jones is listed in 1959 telephone directory but haven't found the first entry yet. Still there in 1980.
Janice
 
Last edited:
Vivienne14 said:
Thanks Ell. So the HP sign may re-emerge after the library demolition. There was more than one sign. I wonder if someone bought another set? Or maybe the rest ended up in the debris after the demolition of the factory. Someone could have made a few bob out of them today; letters are very collectable. Viv.
Click to expand...

Had another quick walk through today. Still not there, other than the blue backing. I would think it would be returned after the demolition is completed, although not sure if the construction of the new Paradise buildings will affect the artefacts there as well.
 
Bennetts is still listed there in the 1956 Kellys. No-one is listed in the 1958 one, so I think we can say Jones moved in from late 1957 to 1958
 
For Viv and Ell - the Twining's sign in Formans Road is still there. Nightmare to park - ended up on double yellow lines in front of the shutters of a business, good job it was Sunday!!

Janice
 

Attachments

  • Twinings 3.jpg
    Twinings 3.jpg
    882.5 KB · Views: 12
Thanks Janice. Sometimes from the no 6 bus, don't always see it (I think I normally see it heading towards the city centre, and not the other direction towards Hall Green).

There is also a Twinnings ghost sign on the Shaftmoor Lane in Hall Green (no 1 and 31 bus routes)

https://goo.gl/maps/vn1vDG4iART2

Shaftmoor News & Convenience Store. Corner of Russell Road and Shaftmoor Lane.
 
Another local one and that one should be easier to park by so will try to get a front on shot later this week. However, I am not driving all over the place for Twinings!!
Janice
 
Get the bus and walk instead then! Think it is quite a walk away from Spring Road Station.

Might be possible to take from the top of a moving bus (top deck).
 
Two in Alma Street; "Argyle Works" and "......... Engineers" There's writing above 'Engineers' but can't read it. Also attached 2 images of inside the Argyle Works . Not a large building and has an interesting pavement inside. Viv.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    141.9 KB · Views: 30
  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    148.7 KB · Views: 29
  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    47.3 KB · Views: 29
  • image.jpeg
    image.jpeg
    61.5 KB · Views: 28
hi viv...where is this alma street as i only know of the one in aston that runs off summer lane.. would like to take a look at it when i have time..i must be slipping:rolleyes:

lyn
 
Last edited:
It's Alma st in Smethwick. The Argyle works were originally a bedstead works, run by the Imperial Bedstead Co in 1900 and the Birmingham Bedstead Co in 1921
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top