Ghost signs of Birmingham

[devonjim]

I know this isn't the right place but I thought it was of interest. Blatantly cribbed from a FB post by "Dave Gibbs" Any idea what this was about? Cast iron found at a scrap yard in Redditch.

 

[mikejee]

W.Chambers Day seemed to mainly make Weighing machines, so presumably, it was part of one

 

[Radiorails]

View attachment 126388 I know this isn't the right place but I thought it was of interest. Blatantly cribbed from a FB post by "Dave Gibbs" Any idea what this was about? Cast iron found at a scrap yard in Redditch.
View attachment 126388

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Day_and_Millward

 

[sospiri]

Which led me to this:-

https://moseleyforum.org.uk/2017/08...protect-this-cherished-open-space-in-moseley/

Janice! Any idea what this is all about?

Maurice

 

[devonjim]

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Day_and_Millward

Love "the nit nurse scales"!

 

[Astoness]

can anyone get to 6 ways island erdington sharpish...by the old bank that was turned into dominos pizza ..they have just taken down the large hoarding maybe to replace it and its revealed a perfect ghost sign...got the heads up from son tom who cant snap it as hes driving his bus and i cant get there

lyn

 

[Frothblower]

Here you go Lyn

 

[Astoness]

thats great froth...glad you got my message and able to get there...looks like there is a fainter sign behind the other one...im on duty today but when ive time will try and work out the sign...just goes to show they are still around

lyn

 

[Frothblower]

Leonard Harwood Farmiloe was selling cycles (and radios) from 247 High St. Erdington in the 1930s

Thanks to Tim Griffiths

 

[Astoness]

excellent froth...great addition to this thread

 

[Pedrocut]

1934...

 

[tim eborn]

Can anyone help with where L H Farmiloe were in Sparkbrook. I was born in 1938 so maybe they were gone before my time.
Thanks in anticipation and Cheers Tim.

 

[mikejee]

From Kellys 1933{
Farmiloe Leonard Harwood, cycle agt. 118A, Aston rd. (TN
Aston Cross 3511) ; 108 & 110 Lichfield rd. Aston (TN
Aston Cross3511—exten.;; 247 High st. Erdington (T N
Erdington 0474) & 218 Ladypool rd . Sparkbrook. T N
South 2117

 

[brianthelion]

all quiet on the western front today...one taken from the gt hampton st side the other from gt hampton row side

lyn

Despite having lived here for 12 years and with all the recent visits to the Gothic I noticed something new! Above the building next to the Gothic which was latterly Carols Cafe is some old “ghost sign” lettering. Really badly faded now but when I walked past yesterday evening I think I made out the word Gilders which is really ironic as the new development opposite me a little further up the Street is to be called Gilders Yard!

 

[pjmburns]

I think I read somewhere that Gilders Yard is named after the Gilders who worked nearby. It may well be that there was a sign for "gilders" there.

 

[Astoness]

thanks jan...very interesting brian..any chance of a photo of the ghost sign please..

lyn

 

[pjmburns]

1890 Kelly's lists 6 Gt Hampton St as Chas Savage - carver and gilder. He is still listed in 1899 directory.

 

[brianthelion]

1890 Kelly's lists 6 Gt Hampton St as Chas Savage - carver and gilder. He is still listed in 1899 directory.

Thanks

thanks jan...very interesting brian..any chance of a photo of the ghost sign please..

lyn

will take a couple tomorrow cheers

 

[Vivienne14]

Smashing sign. Well done Tom ! Thanks for that and to Froth for snapping it before it's covered over. There must be loads of these under more modern hoardings. Just goes to show we can still uncover hidden history. Glad it'll be covered over again as it helps preserve these signs. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

ive got tom trained well viv...he very often tips me off about old buildings as well..apart from which he is interested in the history of birmingham which helps

 

[sospiri]

Talking of ghost signs - and these may well have gone now - there used to be some in Allcock Street, not far from Liverpool Street Bus Garage. Sorry no pics and some years since I was down that way.

Maurice

 

[Astoness]

frothy may know maurice as he has an interest in allcock street failing that we could do a street walk to see what we can find

lyn

 

[Frothblower]

frothy may know maurice as he has an interest in allcock street failing that we could do a street walk to see what we can find

lyn

I've walked up and down allcock street and surrounding area a few times, not seen any ghost signs. Just looked around on Google street view. Maybe I'll have another look.

 

[brianthelion]

I only have a smartphone and not a proper camera so apologies for the results of this mornings efforts. If anyone would care to follow up with a decent camera that would be nice.
I will forward my ghost sign pics to the Birmingham Ghost Signs people.
No probs with copyright lol, please feel free to use as you wish!
First up the former White Horse Cellars pub.
In the stonework it says, I think, Importers and Bonders of Wines and Spirits.
Around the back and too faint to read on the wall above the railway is I suspect a long gone ghost sign although I think I can nearly make out the word brewers or brewery!
Also a couple of pix of the surviving original upstairs Club Room windows

 

[Radiorails]

I just looked at Allcock Street on Google maps. There seems to be quite a few new buildings - so no ghost signs there, There is also newer signage on some older premises, which might cover older signs. All in all it seems that some industrial type streets, such as Allcock Street, do change their appearance far more frequently that residential streets.
It appears, from a post in the Allcock Street thread, that houses were demolished around 1950, The ghost signs remembered by Sospiri may well have been corner shop type signs, ciggies, tea, chocolate etc.
There appears to be two threads about Allcock Street, one listing it as Digbeth, the other as Deritend. There is also reference in a post searching for a former factory which turned out to be the Deritend Shearing Co.

 

[brianthelion]

To follow the gilders ghost sign on the Great Hampton Street building next but one to the Gothic.
Bottom left says. Home and Export
Top left possibly Mandra Gilders
Middle Speciality Cased Goods
At the very top not sure but think it says..something and Co or Gilders Co

Other eyes and views/interpretations welcome!

 

[Radiorails]

I see little to complain about with your photographs, Brian. I am glad you translated the wording on the stonework - may here have 'tired' eyes. You also conform my thoughts about a former ghost sign.

 

[Astoness]

if you go down allcock st and turn into hack st there are a couple there..hack st is so tiny although i have an idea it may have been bigger

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.4...4!1st3BhqnBpBnl6cg3sHh282g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

 

[Radiorails]

Harry Fisher, (metal machining?). There are two ghost signs, I wonder if both places were Fishers?

 

[Frothblower]

if you go down allcock st and turn into hack st there are a couple there..hack st is so tiny although i have an idea it may have been bigger

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.4...4!1st3BhqnBpBnl6cg3sHh282g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Do you remember going round there sometime ago Lyn