Ghost signs of Birmingham

[Vivienne14]

Not heard of any 3d signs being preserved in Brum Nico, I expect it's the sort of stuff that ends up in private hands or just demolished. I asked a question on another thread about what happened to the bulls that used to be on the exterior walls of the Bull Ring. The motifs looked like they were made of bronze (don't know if they were, think they might have been composite motifs made of tiles). But they must have been enormous. In terms of advertising the bulls would have been a success story, instantly recognisable and they clearly showed you where the place was approaching from various directions. But no-one seems to know what happened to them. I'd hoped that someone has one tucked away in a garage somewhere, you never know. Viv.

 

[I Am Nico]

There was a frieze very like your bulls with the dun cow here. She might still be there. I used to sit in a garden area by my job at lunch time. The bench ends were in the form of white horses lady Godiva's I suppose. They took the benches away, the fountain and the garden and made what they call a plaza. A big square with no people in it.

 

[Tracey Thorne]

Trying to help The Electric Cinema solve the mystery of this old ghost sign at the back of the building on Hinckley Street in the City Centre. There is also a ghost sign from when it was the New Tatler Theatre but, the one shown in the photo below is now very faded. A photo taken in the 1960s when it was The Jacey Cinema show the wall being blank so we are assuming that the ghost signs is post late 1960s? There are five rows of letters.



Anyone remember working or traveling around this area 1960s -70s that might remember what it said please get in touch? https://www.facebook.com/Brumsghostsigns

 

[Vivienne14]

Hi Tracey. The bottom line is 'Hampton' So I wonder if it's Wolverhampton. If the 5th line is Hampton, the 4th line could be Wolver-' I can just make out a 'W' Not too sure, but the 3rd line could be 'Store' or 'Stores' and the 2nd line has -- UR-- I did wonder about 'Furnisher' or 'Furnishing' but the space is too small. You often saw advert for furnishing stores like this one. Viv.

 

[horsencart]

There are many Ghost Signs in Birmingham (normally an advert or shop sign) so where is this one? I am not giving any clues as it is to easy
https://www.flickr.com/photos/dofartshavelumps/18826696742/in/dateposted-public/

 

[Vivienne14]

Lovely craftsmanship on these two signs for the Royal Society of Artists, corner of James Street and Brook Street. But the sign above the entrance looks too grand. Was it taken from the older building? Although the Art Deco style of the sign looks too new to have graced the old RSA building in New Street. Viv.

 

[Phil]

Viv

The plaques on the wall are the earliest known works in Birmingham by sculptor William Bloye the well known Birmingham sculptor and ex president of the RBSA and date from 1919. Its no great leap to assume that the sign over the door is contemporary to the plaques. The year 1919 would also coincide with your Art Deco observation.

As the move to Brook Street was c2000 I would say that both the plaques and the over-door light was used on New Street gallery after the original building there was replaced in the early 1900's. I'm looking for any photographic evidence of this at the moment.

 

[cookie273uk]

Slightly of thread, I was a member of the BWS (Birmingham Watercolour Society) based at New Street 1989 till 2000 and was disappointed when we moved to Brooke Street with the RBSA who purchased and refitted the Brooke St premises, as apposed to leasing the New Street premises, the atmosphere simply was not the same. I resigned from the BWS in 2007. Eric

 

[Vivienne14]

I didn't know there was a second (replacement) building on New Street Phil. Be interesting to see an image. Only know of the building with the 4 pillars in front. Lovely examples of Bloyes early work. I like the artist's materials at the bottom of the plaques.

Eric can certainly imagine the Brook Street building is no comparison with the old building. It doesn't even suggest to me that it's a centre of great art work. But maybe I'm old-fashioned. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

A lovely painted sign above the door of the Observatory Inn on Hunters Rd/Barkers Street. This looks like it might not hang in there much longer if it isn't given some TLC, but at least the pub's still going strong. Viv.

View attachment 82495

Just discovered the Observatory painted pub sign above the entrance is no longer there. No surprise as I expect something like this would be difficult to maintain. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

that was one of our dads watering holes viv...one of many lol

 

[Phil]

View attachment 98888

I didn't know there was a second (replacement) building on New Street Phil. Be interesting to see an image. Only know of the building with the 4 pillars in front. Lovely examples of Bloyes early work. I like the artist's materials at the bottom of the plaques.

Eric can certainly imagine the Brook Street building is no comparison with the old building. It doesn't even suggest to me that it's a centre of great art work. But maybe I'm old-fashioned. Viv.

Viv

This is the only photo that I can come up with that shows the building clearly (I recently posted this to the forum elsewhere) It's the building on the right after Woolworths going up New St toward Victoria Square. If you look closely at the far end ground floor of the building you will see what looks suspiciously like your over-door sign & light.

 

[Vivienne14]

Well I'd never have thought that was the place Phil. Yes can see the sign/light. Always have in my mind the building above when people refer to the Soc of Artists. Must have been an outcry when they demolished it for the one in your photo. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

Thought I'd record this one before it drops off the building. George Cadby & Sons Ltd in Barr Street. The company were 'Art Metal Workers' and 'Bronzists' according to the link below. Given their business I'm surprised that the exterior decor is so plain. It gives no indication whatsoever of the business going on inside. Even the plaster name sign is basic. Anyone ever come across examples of their work? Viv.

https://sculpture.gla.ac.uk/view/organization.php?id=msib4_1216241882

 

[mikejee]

The firm existed before and after this, but at different addresses, but are described somewhat differently:
1873* Cadby George, silver & electro plate polisher, Borough saw mills; home 14 Brighton terrace. High street, Harbornc
1876 Cadby George,cabinet,mediaeval art metal & general polisher,
24 Summer row & 23 George st. Parade (established 1834)
1878,79,80 & 82 Cadby, George, metal & general polisher, 24 Summer Row
(Between 1882 & 1883 summer row was renumbered and 1883 is same site)
1883 Cadby, George, metal & general polisher, 62 Summer Row
1884, 1888, 1890 Cadby George , metal polisher, 62 Frederick St
1892,95,96, 97 Cadby George & Sons, metal polishers, 38 Albion street
1889, 1900 Cadby George & Sons, metal polishers, 28 & 29 Tenby St.
After 1951
1955,56,62,64,65 Cadby George & Sons Ltd. electroplaters,bronzers, polishers & enamellers, Barr st 19
1967 Cadby George & Sons Ltd. electroplaters,5.6 & 7 Harford st & (works) Barr St.
1968 - Not listed in Birmingham Kellys directory
The above come from Birmingham directories. All except that for 1873 (*) , which is William White's Directory, they refer to the Post Office Directory, which after 1879 became Kelly's Directory.
Attached is an advert from the 1967 Kellys, which seems the lastb year they ar elisted in Birmingham directories
I have passed this on to Ann Compton at the Sculpture website, and asked if they are aware of any extant work of the firm.

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks Mike. So Cadby's had a long history. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

just as an aside viv..post 231 pic 2...in the distance you can see what used to be the minerva vaults pub...spent many a few happy hours in there i can tell you lol..

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

Lyn is it the one now called "the Hampton". If so it no longer really look like a pub. Viv.

 

[Astoness]

im a tad off topic but will just add this....yes viv it changed its name to the hampton some years back now and then closed as a pub but after that police found a massive cannabis farm going on in there about 5 years back and it was closed..i think the building has some age to it (must check kellys)..more recently gutted and turned into an indian clothing warehouse....such a pity...here is a pic of it in its former glory...

 

[Phil]

Lyn

FYI the Minerva Vaults dates from 1825 and suffered badly from a bomb blast during the war when three people were killed.

 

[mikejee]

Have recieved a reply from the Sculpture website, thanking for the information. unfortunateley they cannot help with any extant metalwork

 

[Astoness]

Lyn

FYI the Minerva Vaults dates from 1825 and suffered badly from a bomb blast during the war when three people were killed.

thanks phil i thought it was from the georgian period the little windows are a give away....i did not know about the bomb damage and loss of life though..will have a look at that on the BARRA site...

lyn

 

[Vivienne14]

This one's on the side of the Britannia pub in Aston. Can't make head nor tail of it. Viv.

 

[mikejee]

Its a bit of a guess , but top two lines might be Showells Burton. therefore bottom line, which I can't guess at from the picture, might be Ales

 

[I Am Nico]

Could the 2nd word middle row say BUILDERS? The last line might be 1V all conjecture from changing the colours and tones.

 

[Phil]

Obviously at one time the whole sign was painted out, but on this image it is beginning to wear thin and the bottom line seen underneath definitely says Scotch Whisky.

 

[Vivienne14]

Thanks all. Could be any of the suggestions, all sound feasible. Maybe someone will one day remember that sign! Or maybe there's an earlier photo to Phil's somewhere. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

We've seen many photos of one of the surviving entrances to the old Snow Hill station on Livery Street. But look closely and you'll see a Latin inscription and crest that was placed on much of the GWR property. Viv.

 

[Vivienne14]

"Justice Giveth Everyone His Own" seen on the Steelhouse Lane police station. Viv.

 

[ellbrown]

I was on Hack Street earlier when I saw the ghost signs.

Harry F..Ner Metal ...








So much of the text is hard to read, or has faded over time.


10 Hack Street