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Hi There! I'm writing a dissertation on painted wall ad's, sometimes known as Ghost signs. I'm currently researching all aspects of them, including who painted them (wall dogs), the process of creating them, and how they came about for instance. If anyone knows anything about the topic and wants to share it with me please do! It would be much appreciated. Thanks! Sally
Posts: 7 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2005
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Have you checked out the book on the subject that Sign Craft sells? If you do a search in Sign of the Times they've also done articles on this subject. Many here have done restorations on them also. There was a wonderful restoration article in one of the sign mags a couple years ago, I think it was Mark and Rose Oatis that did it.
PS. I think many of us have photos we could share with you also.
[ January 05, 2005, 08:23 AM: Message edited by: Rick Sacks ]
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6714 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have thought that this would make an excellent book for some time. There are a few smaller, more regional books on ghost signs and some web sites out there.
Most of the Ghost signs in our city have been thoughtlessly painted over, but there are a few small ones that remain.
I would be willing to shoot some pictures of the ones I can find in this area if you need images.
Here is an article about ghost signs written by my dear friend Bill Berberich. He was a wall dog for over 25 years, and recently lost most of his kit & fitches in a flood.
I've posted this before, and it is worth reading again. His email addy is BZRK52@aol.com if you ever want to correspond with him.
Love....Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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There IS a book called "Ghost Signs" by William Stage. Maybe if you go to your local library, you can request books from other libraries in their system. We can in the USA. The # is ISBN:0-911380-84-1. There is LOTS of info in this book and it is great reading on the subject. If you have a little time to do this dissertation, there is a Walldog gathering happening this fall in Aledo, IL from Sept. 15 thru the 18th. Don't know if you can travel that far, but it would definately be a "hands-on" experience. The last I heard there will be 5 or 6 walls going on and some great walldogs will be leading the work on each wall. The first walldog event that I think occurred here in the US was "Walldog Daze" hosted by Nancy & Dan Bennett in 1993 in Alerton, Iowa. Then I think there were events every year in different parts of the country. We have attended quite a few and they are a blast...lots of work, but LOTS of fun too! I think you could probably find a bunch of information in past SignCrafts or Sign of the Times or Sign Business magazines. Most of them did small articles on each event. Also look here is the "Past Meets" section over to the left. There are a few in there with photos galore. Walldog Rendezvous in Belvediere, IL, two in Kentucky at Kenlake, Letter-Rip on Rt. 66 & another small one in Atlanta, IL are just a couple that come to mind. There's more there. Or I could give you a list of names of some of the hosts of these events and you could interview them about the experience. Some one here in Letterville noted a new book that was just coming out that is about Harley Warwick, who died recently but was probably one of the last "Mail Pouch Tobacco" barn painters. I don't remember the name of the book....Hope this helps.... Good luck! Sounds like a fun subject for a dissertation.
[ January 05, 2005, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: Jane Diaz ]
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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Our city is trying to revitalize the downtown so they allowed some fake signs like this to be put on some of the brick buildings. They have a good effect but they arent aged enough to to be mistaken for the real thing.
Funnily enough, if the signs were real the city ordinances make them illegal. Go figure.
-------------------- Paul McDowell 7 Hills Signs Virginia Posts: 84 | From: Lynchburg, Virginia | Registered: Oct 2004
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Thanks so much everyone, I have taken a look at your links and they are great. Im now on a mission to find the ghost signs book- for some reason it costs £45 in the UK which is about $90 !! So i'm currently trying to get it sent over from US. If anyone does have any pics of signs i'd love to see them but please don't go to too much trouble. Thanks again everyone. Sally
-------------------- Sally Wilson Bulmershe Court Woodlands Ave Reading UK Posts: 7 | From: UK | Registered: Jan 2005
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-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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When I was a small boy growing up in Pennsylvania, back in the 60's, my stepfather used to take me to a barbershop across the street from an old brick building. I remember sitting there many times, trying to decipher the faded ghost lettering on the wall - it had been a hotel at some point, but the lettering was so badly faded that it was barely readable. At that time I had no idea I'd be a sign painter someday, but I remember that faint lettering, like a whisper from a world long gone. Maybe that's why I like these signs so much...
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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