London Ghost Signs Map (and Book)
This map shows the location of just over 1,000 London ghost signs – the fading remains of old painted advertising signs. You can read more about ghostsigns here.
The red markers show the ghost signs that are in the book, the green markers are those that aren’t and the blue markers are for ghost signs that no longer exist (most of these have disappeared in the last five years). The map also has some suggested ghost sign walks.
The map also has a layer showing the London Boroughs (off by default) which might help you locate a ghost sign in your area.
If you click on a marker, a panel will open with information the sign. If it shows a photo then clicking on this will show the full image. Some ghost signs have more than one photo.
Some of the green markers show images that I’ve linked to from posts on Twitter. I mistakenly thought that these images would link back to the original Twitter post, but Google has grabbed the images and doesnt give a back-link. My apologies to anyone whose images I’ve inadvertently used without a credit. They will eventually be replaced as I photograph more of the signs myself. The majority of these images are by Alistair Macmenemey – a great ghost sign spotter. My thanks to him.
If you see any new ghost signs that you think should be added to the map then tag me on Twitter with a location for the sign (as accurate as possible please) and maybe a photo as well.
Ghost Signs: A London Story
During Covid lockdown I worked with Sam (Mr Ghostsigns) Roberts on producing a book documenting London’s Ghost Signs. The book has been printed and is now available via the Ghostsigns website.
Reviews
This is an informative, sensitively written and designed study, reflecting the authors’ detailed knowledge of urban archaeology. Justin Burns, Eye 103/22, Summer 2022
The most comprehensive account of ghost signs ever published, this guide, which features an introduction by designer Wayne Hemingway, will steer you towards some great examples… David Brown, Best of British, January 2022
This work, the result of over 15 years’ research by Sam Roberts, who is the recognised authority on London’s Ghost Signs, accompanied by Roy Reed’s photos who has a lifetime’s experience photographing the urban landscape, gives us a fascinating reminder of our past way of life. CabbieBlog, January 2022
The text is engagingly and carefully written, and the excellent photographs (mostly by Roy Reed) are both informative and a pleasure to look at. Forum 43, March 2022
Overflowing with really good photos charting a typographic history of London through the faded painted advertising Ghost signs. Amazon Review, November 2021
As part of my research into the history of ghost signs I've also been working on some graphic reconstructions to show how they might once have looked. You can see some examples on my blog.
You can see my full collection of ghost sign photos in this album on Flickr.