These on a building also on Shaftmoor Lane/Spring Road are peeping out from beneath later signs. One is particularly vivid. My guess is they’re relatively modern as they’re peeling and decaying. Older ones seem to stay visible longer. Maybe because of the materials used to paint them. Viv.
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That is a real pity. As a former regular at The Cross Keys that sign (below) became very familiar to me during the 70s/80s, as it did to passing drivers and bus passengers over the years. It was very realistic and often mistakenly seen as being an actual man on a ladder. Birmingham Live reported in 2016, that it had been moved by the company to their new premises in Olton, after being in that same spot for over sixty years. At that time, a company spokesman had said that "the painting will still have pride of place at the new base, even if it might not be seen to the public. He'll be going up somewhere or other."A ghost sign of a sign maker! This is the location of the well-known sign “painter up a ladder”, gone some years ago now (next to the former Cross Keys pub Station Rd/Sutton Rd, Erdington).Even the sign designers premises have been vacated, leaving only this ‘sign’ of their former presence. Viv.
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In 2020 it was covered up.Again in Erdington, on High Street (Edwards Road junction) - a nice example. Has this been recently uncovered ? The Edwards Road cast iron street sign must have been moved further down at some time. Viv.
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I can't get this any clearer as the premises are at the back of some houses but it looks as if the man is still up his ladder - doubt it is the original though.That is a real pity. As a former regular at The Cross Keys that sign (below) became very familiar to me during the 70s/80s, as it did to passing drivers and bus passengers over the years. It was very realistic and often mistakenly seen as being an actual man on a ladder. Birmingham Live reported in 2016, that it had been moved by the company to their new premises in Olton, after being in that same spot for over sixty years. At that time, a company spokesman had said that "the painting will still have pride of place at the new base, even if it might not be seen to the public. He'll be going up somewhere or other."
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Thanks for that. It might just be the original. Their spokesman had been quoted as follows on Birmingham Live, "The painting will still have pride of place at the new base, even if it might not be seen to the public. He'll be going up somewhere or other. We haven't got the same proximity to the road as we did at the old place but we'll make sure he's here somewhere."I can't get this any clearer as the premises are at the back of some houses but it looks as if the man is still up his ladder - doubt it is the original though.
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Remember the block of shops, in fact had my first ever bike from the shop now called "Hawam". A Phillips 24" wheel bike, I had to have the pedals made square so that I could reach, would have been around 1946. So as far as I can recall the shops were individual even then.Unusually the whole parade seems to be signed as “West End Stores”. It’s located around #1159 Warwick Road. Viv.
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Tustins are a well-known family business in Acocks Green. They first appear in the directories right at the end of the nineteenth century as J.C. Tustin, grocer, at West End House. Mrs Tustin is listed at Clarendon House nearby in 1900, and in 1905 John Charles is living at Moreton Villa next to the shop. By 1912 Frederick J. Tustin is listed across the road as a butcher, in the fourth of the new shops north of Oxford Road. These businesses became numbered as 1163-5 and 1174 Warwick Road.Unusually the whole parade seems to be signed as “West End Stores”. It’s located around #1159 Warwick Road. Viv.
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Hi Gez. There used to be a pub on the corner of Hack and Allcock street called The Great Western Inn it was a Davenports pub. I lived there in the late 60's my stepfather was the licensee. It has since been demolished. If you research the midlandspubs web site there is a photo of it. Opposite was a scrap metal yard, I think it was for non-ferrous metals, looking on google it is now Pars Autos. Hope this helps your research.Hi All
Does anyone have any info or pics of Hack Street, Digbeth. I am particularly interested in this street as there are several remains of ghost signs of previous business trades that have been there over-lapping eachother. It would be good see any visibly evidence of the signs may have looked.
Thank you.
Certainly was a Post Office Viv, what a difference from this picture, such a shame.I’m thinking this was once a Post Office judging by the letters peeping out from under the blue sign. It’s at 73-75 Aston Road North, at the junction with Holland Road West. It has VR above the doorway and a night safe door on the Holland Road West side. Viv.
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At least the building is still standing!Certainly was a Post Office Viv, what a difference from this picture, such a shame.
Sign says cafe. Looks like a peace dove in wall painting. Green customers on bikes?Ghost sign with a difference. From Looking at Birmingham by Richardson, Anny (1994)
Where in Digbeth, and what was it ?
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