Ghost Signs

The most comprehensive account of ghost signs ever published, focusing on London's hand-painted relics of advertising past.

Ghost signs are fascinating pieces of urban archaeology. Imposing yet hidden in plain sight, these faded advertisements are London's history written onto the contemporary cityscape. The book showcases around 250 of London's most impressive and historically significant ghost signs, geo-located, accompanied by archival and other contextual images. Introductory chapters include essays on how they were produced and their restoration and conservation. Signs are then featured in themed chapters that include building, entertaining, branding and, ultimately, burying the city.