26/10/2014

Visual dyslexic shop fronts

The Nr. 50 bus route is passing this now derelict shop, which tells of a bygone era of gunslinging battles in the Wild (South) West of Brum...

I saw this invitation to 'Come Along In' in Stirchley...

This shop in Digbeth is still trading, although the sign could do with an update.

I wonder what the third later used to be and what the shop/business sued to sell or produce. As seen in the Gun Quarter.

And finally another place in the Gun Quarter which is also still trading. On the top floor of the building used to be a workshop where the cartoonist and illustrator Rowland Emett used to work. 

18/10/2014

Visual Dyslexia, nonsense & gibberish

Good bye my loved Digbeth Cold Storage. Over the last years I have repeatedly photographed this sign, which was sadly dismantled during the recent renovation of the building. I am glad I managed to snap a final picture.

 
Clearly the letter 't' had enough of being teased by the other letters for being last in alphabetical order, so it left!

I previously posted an image of this sign partially covered by scaffolding, it used to read The Pallasades, somehow however I prefer it like this ... 

And finally two pieces of advertisement, which have tragically gone wrong. The above sign is a beautiful example of a glitching electric board that I saw in Sutton Coldfield... 

...while the advert below seems to either send subliminal messages in a street slang or refer to a song by the Police...De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da

11/10/2014

A collection of ghost signs

Today I am posting a selection of ghost signs and signs that are making a 'return' after years of being hidden away. The sign above is clearly showing a recycled and overpainted sign, which is slowly making a return. As seen in Digbeth.

A ghost sign at the Costa Green Public House in Birmingham.

Another ghost sign revealing the former use of the building, assuming from the painted sign the business used to sell beer. 

This hand painted sign was revealed at the back of Waterstones on New Street during the recent redevelopment of New Street Station and the extension of the Metro tram line in Birmingham. Read more on the signs history in the Birmingham Post.

A well-documented ghost sign at the back of the Electric Cinema, indicating the prior use of the venue to be a theatre.

And finally one of my favourite signs which was revealed in Digbeth recently. What a beautiful choice of font used for this hand-painted sign, which was revealed after another sign was dismounted of the gate. If you look closely there is another line of text underneath.

04/10/2014

The infectious Visual Dyslexia...

Today I am posting a few images that I was send by friends and family, who are now also snapping away for me. Many thanks for all the contributions, future submissions are encouraged and welcomed!

The above picture is a contribution from 'Mr. Ghostsign' Sam Roberts, as seen in London. 
I love this now meaningless sign, looks like alien script to me.

The next three images are from the talented Illustrator Tim Widden, as seen at the British Museum (above), Brick Lane (below) and somewhere in London (ghost sign, below below). Thanks Tim for keeping your eyes peeled for me!

I saw this visual dyslexia myself a few month ago at Brick Lane and ever since I have been wondering what it was actually referring to? Diarrhea? Indigestion?

Another fading London ghost sign.

And last, but certainly not least a beautiful example of a visual dyslexia seen by the best mother in this world in Foehr in Germany, thanks mum!