After a lovely afternoon on the first walking tour which celebrated my book Fading Ads of London I’m running another walking tour event on Saturday 14th June.
The tour will start outside Old Street Tube Station at Midday and will last approximately two hours. We will finish up at Mornington Crescent tube station. When you get to the tube station look out for a blonde lady with a green clipboard (ruling out any ridiculous coincidence that will be me).
It is a walking tour so please wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for my endless enthusiasm and random facts about hand-painted signs from a quaint but fascinating era.
Once bought tickets are non-refundable but can be transferred to a future walking tour as required.
Click here to book your place now!
Places are very limited to keep the group size manageable so please book soon to avoid disappointment.
Once bought tickets are non-refundable but the price can be transferred against the cost of a future walking tour as required.
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My lovely publisher, The History Press, sent me an advance copy of my book this week. Working with them has been an incredibly positive experience; they clearly really care about the projects they take on and (as is probably evident from the photo below) I was really impressed with the final design of my book. The volume isn’t available until May but it can be pre-ordered today from Amazon, Waterstones and The Guardian Bookshop.
Today, whilst completing the final photography for my next book on Ghost Signs, I stumbled across a lot of type in Wapping – mostly the labelling of Wharves. Is the above a play on King Henry’s Wives? I like to think so. Rather like the old hydraulic sign too.
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Although my next book is on hand-painted signs around London, I often come across some beautiful mosaic and tile signage on my travels. This one, just across the road from Dalston Junction station, is a fine example. I particularly like the gold trim, it gives the design an almost regal feel. You can read the whole Reeves story here.
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Daily Telegraph Ghost Sign, Fulham.
Today I managed to get out on the bus for an hour with a book and my camera. I’ve never been to Fulham but had a suspicion, due to the age of the buildings, that it was likely to be rich with ghost signs. I was right, it was pretty much like hitting the ghost sign jackpot. My favourite is the advert for quality prints because the writing is so clear, which is very rare with this kind of signage. That said, I am super-intrigued about what was served at the Kit Kat dining rooms. Given that you can’t get over my parents’ threshold without our Mam pushing a Kit Kat into your clammy mitts (Mrs Doyle style) I always kind of thought that if Kit Kats were to be served on a silver platter anywhere, it would be back home. Anyway. Food for thought.
Daily Telegraph Ghost Sign, Fulham.
Brymay matches Ghost Sign, Fulham.
Close up on Brymay matches Ghost Sign, Fulham.
S.G. Purkiss Ghost Sign, Fullham.
Close up of S.G. Purkiss Ghost Sign, Fulham.
Kit Kat Dining Rooms Ghost Sign, Fulham.