We've posted a ghost sign before ( http://365project.org/fishers/365/2014-09-10 ) and Dad did too on his solo project ( http://365project.org/if1/365/2012-11-07). During my recent visit to London I discovered another one in West Norwood. This is for the company Bryant and May, which sold matches. In 1853 they were selling 8 million boxes a year.
Their company is famous for the Matchstick Girls' strike of 1888, which resulted in better pay and working conditions for the workers, who worked with dangerous white phosphorous.
Under this ghost sign, another is also emerging. If you look closely at the top, in white, the word 'Westminster' is slowly revealing itself. I wonder what the whole thing will look like in a few more decades! - Lucy
I thought they were still in existence! The paint they made years ago was obviously much better quality than we can buy today... I suspect it contained all sorts of substances that are banned today!
I'm always looking for these old painted signs. They seem to be getting rarer, which is a shame. This is a nice example with interesting notes, too. Fav
@vignouse You're probably right there Richard. This was protected on one side by a billboard for some years, but now it's removed it looks a lot better! - Lucy