The Friday Photos: Signs Of The Times

TimW
By TimW Last edited 138 months ago
The Friday Photos: Signs Of The Times
This bit of DIY was snapped in Southwark, by Sean Batten
This bit of DIY was snapped in Southwark, by Sean Batten
Taken from the bus in Covent Garden, by Zefrog
Taken from the bus in Covent Garden, by Zefrog
The most famous London sign of them all, by The Great Misto
The most famous London sign of them all, by The Great Misto
Retro signage at this Harlesden laundromat, by Flamenco Sun
Retro signage at this Harlesden laundromat, by Flamenco Sun
Where else but Shoreditch, by Prad Patel
Where else but Shoreditch, by Prad Patel
Old fashioned back-street pub sign, by bellybutton girl
Old fashioned back-street pub sign, by bellybutton girl
Classic sign from one of London's oldest boozers, by Duncan
Classic sign from one of London's oldest boozers, by Duncan
This wag made the national news with this sign during the Shard launch, by Myk Reeve
This wag made the national news with this sign during the Shard launch, by Myk Reeve
Taxi rank in Shoreditch, by RedPopCreative
Taxi rank in Shoreditch, by RedPopCreative
Must be a laugh living here, by Binary Betty
Must be a laugh living here, by Binary Betty

In his iconic biography of London, Peter Ackroyd comments on the multitude of signage in the city in the 18th century London: "Almost every house, and every trade, had its sign so that the streets of the city were a perpetual forest of painted imagery... There were images of chained bears and of rising suns, of sailing ships and angels, of red lions and golden bells."

Today, there are also signs everywhere, from road markers to street art. We've avoided the former category for this selection, a suitably random, sometimes humorous, snapshot of London signage.

All images from Londonist Flickrpool contributors with thanks: Prad Patel, Binary Betty, Flamenco Sun, The Great Misto, Michael Reeve, redpopcreative, bellybutton girl, Sean Batten, Duncan and zefrog.

Last Updated 21 September 2012