J&J Goddard, Tottenham Court Road, London W1

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Pensom) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 16:22:00 +0000

I've been unable to find anything about J&J Goddard of Tottenham Court Road, but their sans serif round-edged signage still towers over the nearby 'church' of Scientology and Goodge Street Station. Incidentally, Goodge Street Station itself is looking well, having been treated to what appears to be a full exterior restoration.

Pring & Rose Printers, Marylebone Passage, London W1

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Pensom) — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:41:00 +0000

They're everywhere. Remnants of an explosive age of advertising which, in it its own way, was every bit as pervasive — intrusive even — as our own. Those of us born in the late 20th century missed the saturation of playbills, notices and stencilled signs which so infuriated our grandparents' generation, but we couldn't miss the painted wall advertisements.

These faded, peeling messages stood in mute testimony of an age which seemed as remote to my young eyes as that of the Pharoahs. I always intended to make a record of them; I am only surprised that I have taken so long to do so. Those of you with a similar interest will be pleased to note that others have had the same idea, and in the UK at least by far the most comprehensive is Sam Roberts' ghostsigns.co.uk. Sam is compiling a comprehensive archive, which will be an invaluable resource to future students of advertising. My own contribution will be modest and sporadic, and starts with the unusually named Pring & Rose Printers, located on a side street near Creative Review's office. The printers are long gone, but their sign lingers on, orphaned in an area much changed since the days when it was affordable to run light industry in W1.

Orphaned Signage

J&J Goddard, Tottenham Court Road, London W1

Pring & Rose Printers, Marylebone Passage, London W1