Different Times

Back in the day you could advertise more or less everything, then medics finally overcame pressure from the tobacco industry and cigarette ads were banned. This hit motor racing pretty badly, and there were a few attempts to overcome the restrictions.

I admit I wouldn't have noticed this during a recent trip to the Donington Collection, an impressive museum dedicated to the history of motor racing and the Castle Donington circuit in particular. Mr Anorak is a huge Formula 1 fan and has followed the sport for years, so he knew straight away what this statement really says.

 I wonder how many of you will recognise that this is actually advertising.  I guess unless you were a smoker you're at a disadvantage, but I used to work my way through the best part of a pack of Benson and Hedges every day before I came to my senses.  And if you fill in the gaps, that's precisely what this encouraging statement says.

Before the ban, tobacco was linked blatantly to the glamorous sport and its fast cars. He's a prime example from the year before the Be On Edge example above.

Ghostsigns

This one's in Hull

I'm fascinated by ghostsigns - those leftover advertising remnants that you see painted onto buildings all over the country. (The world!)  In fact I'm so obsessed with them that I regularly take photos, and I've made a few contributions to the History of Advertising Trust's collection over the years.

You never know when you'll spot one, and sometimes, if your mind is set just right, you see them in places you know you've walked past many times before.

Painted advertising on walls has a long history. You could find examples of it in ancient Pompeii. One of the best-known  is a sign for a brothel, which was unearthed during excavations into the ruined city.

Most of the UK signs date from a time when businesses were long-established and tended not to move around. Economic conditions made it worthwhile making a semi-permanent statement about yourself and your goods - unlike today.

It seems like the heyday of the painted sign - in the UK at least - was the early 20th century. You'll probably spot one somewhere in any old, grainy, black and white photo from WWI onwards, It's possible they were around for much longer, it's just that photos are rarer.  The one below featured on a BBC news website and dates from April 1912. You can just spot the painted sign in the background. Click here for a better view.

Many were adverts for particular brands, but others were specific to one shop or business.  The Hull example at the top is in the doorway of an old office building. It's actually at the back of the Hull and East Riding Museum. You can see from that how many times some signs were re-painted as proprietors came and went. And if you want to see more detail you can reach the photo in my Flickr stream, where you'll be able to check it out in original size.

For lots more information and great photos check out Sam Roberts's website www.ghostsigns.co.uk and I promise you'll be spotting them for yourself very soon. Then why not take a photo and submit it to HAT's collection?