Friday 12 June 2009

Ghost signs (16): missing pieces

Frustratingly, two of my most local ghost signs are partially obscured. Any ideas on what these signs are advertising would be very much appreciated!

First, the slogan of this advert on Mornington Road is 'the finest the world produces' - but finest what? My best guess is that the first two letters at the top could be 'LI', which brings Lipton's to mind - but it really is no more than a guess.


Second, on Deptford High Street, this sign clearly advertised TEA. Again, though, the brand name is missing.

8 comments:

Sarah said...

I love the name you have given these signs. I love to see them still hanging on so long after they were painted. Sadly I can't help you with what they are advertising.

Sam Roberts said...

I reckon Liptons could be a good guess for the second, you can clearly see an 'S' peeking out on the right hand side of the bill board. Compare to this one from London submitted to the ghostsigns archive.

CarolineLD said...

Sam, I think you're probably right - thank you!

Sarah, thank you too but I can't take the credit for the name - that belongs to Sam, who has the superb Ghost Signs website and is doing amazing work setting up the ghost signs archive.

Adam said...

I'm in suspense in my street as there is a beautiful partially uncovered powder blue one, but the building is currently being sandblasted clean, and I'm not sure if they'll keep or remove the ad. I've taken a couple of photos for posterity anyway.

The Grim Reaper said...

The first one is probably Lipton's Tea. The slogan "The Finest the World Produces" was used by Liptons. Unfortunately, Google Books indexs the slogan, at page 124 of 'Imperial Persuaders' but does not let us see it.

I do not think that the second one is Lipton's as the font does not seem right and I do not think that many letters would fit without showing on the left hand side.

CarolineLD said...

Thanks for the confirmation on the first one, Bill - I'd searched for the slogan a few times without any success. As it was a Lipton's slogan, then combined with the probable 'LI' at the beginning I think that's mystery solved. Now it will no longer irritate me every evening as I pass it!

Deptford dame said...

Gosh, which days were those when Liptons felt confident in proclaiming itself 'The Finest the World Produces'? (As opposed to 'What you're stuck with in France if you forget to bring your own'!)

CarolineLD said...

Ah yes, the curse of Lipton's Yellow Label! (Memorably described here.) Tea bags are the one British import my dad can't manage without in France.