Having recently looked at a called Ghost signs of Bath (Andrew Swift & Kirsten Elliott, Akeman Press), I remembered seeing a few really good ones in Frome, where I work. So I went out last week to photograph them all and, delightfully, some new ones have been revealed! Which is super great for me doing this blog post!
I expect a lot of people have visited Frome and seen the below ghost signs for A.S.Ashby which was once a photographic shop at the bottom of Bath Street. I love the way the top one has more than one layer of overlaying words and layers, known as a Palimpsest. Amazing how the vivid colour has survived!
Next I found this set of 3 three advertising ghost signs not far away on Palmer Street.
They're fairly hard to make out but I believe this one says:
WEAVER
& SON
FOR
WALLPAPERS
DISTEMPERS
I can't figure out the last word, I think it begings with VAP and ends in S.
This one is harder to read but says:
[ ] WE STOCK
[ ] AND
RECOMMEND
JOHN HALL'S
PROLAC
GLOSS FINISH
&
PROLAC PEP
PLASTIC EMULSION PAINT
FOR [ ] BOTH
... And the some more words I can't make out.
John Hall & Sons was a paint manufacturing company in Broadmead, Bristol.
This sign around the side reads:
WEAVER & SON
FOR
GLASS
OIL
PAINT &
WALLPAPER
Whist not actually a ghost sign, I like this metal sign for Colman's Blue, on High Pavement.
Further up the same building as the Ashby Kodak signs, is this long section of text along the top. It advertises:
CHINA & GLASS SHOW ROOMS | DINNER SERVICE | TOILET SETS, VASES, [ ]RES, PORTMANTEAUS | STATIONERY
I'm not sure what this shop was called but I guess it was a department store.
The following building on Badcox is currently being renovated, which I guess is how these beautiful ghost signs have been revealed.
I can't make out the bottom left or right text, but maybe I'll make another visit to try to find out.
Some of the other sections read:
Teas, Coffees Grocery AND PROVISION STORES
CHEESE, SALT Agent for HANSEN'S Cheese Rennet
THORLEY'S FOOD FOR CATTLE Ovum & Lactifer
Robin Starch
ZEBRA Grate Polish
Let me know if you've seen any more ghost signs in Frome!
