Courtesy of London Historians, we embarked on a tour of King's Cross, a major rail hub in London, which still has fading signs from the past, sometimes known as 'ghost signs'. These are outmoded ads or corporate logos that may still be seen over today's streets.
Businesses were eager to move in and embrace the chance when the railways arrived and revolutionized this region in the mid-1850s, whether as a suitable site for manufacturing and distribution or a fantastic place to start a restaurant or a shop. The brickwork on many façades was hardly visible by the 1880s, hidden behind a patchwork of hand-painted writing advertising everything from breakfast items to motor oil, newspapers, and precise instruments. Innovative creations, Italian dining rooms, wine, boot polish, and fake remedies will all be discussed. We also learnt about the signmakers and visit the headquarters of one of the firms in charge of the lucrative advertising spots.
Specialist artists put these hand-painted advertising directly on the walls, commissioned either by well-known enterprises to market their branded items or by small shops looking to attract passing commerce.
This style of signage used to be throughout the Kings Cross neighbourhood, one of London's major transportation hubs. We looked at a few of the outstanding examples that remain. We learned about the companies, brands, and individuals behind the signs, including brilliant innovations, bygone items, and well-known names that are still in business today.
The companies put the signs painted everywhere on all the buildings. All cities suffer from it, but London's case was the worst. The writing had to match the masonry and be centred with the buildings because Oxford Street was totally covered in paint.
All in all, the almost 2-hour round walk was well worth it since we got to look back in time and appreciate the advertising creations of a gone era.
