And on That Note

 

Yes, you've seen this before.  Several times, I'm sure.  But, it marks a hiatus for us here at Faded Ad Art, as we'll be on vacation for the next few days. 

 

In the meantime, consider this:

 

 

This ghoster is at the American Sign Museum, here in Cincinnati.  Definitely worth a visit.  Much of their facility is devoted to Big Neon, but there are recreated painted models too.

 

Whoo Hoo.

 

We're proud to announce three of our entries in the Ghostsign UK competition have been selected to appear in the 2014 ghost sign calendar! 

 

Go here to see which ones. 

And thank you to everyone who voted, not just for us, but for any entry.  There are some beautiful signs out there, and any time we see anyone doing anything to save them, be it in a photograph, or in real life, we're happy.

 

 

(Details on how to order a calendar are pending.)

 

 

A New Discovery

 

We're all familiar with that beautiful camera shop sign along 7th, just off of Vine.  Nobby's is still in business, and Queen City Fit is just... well, there.  So what are we looking at?

 

Walking on a side of the street I don't usually walk on, yesterday, I caught a hint of something that once was.  The photo doesn't do it justice, of course.  It doesn't really pop, but, it's still easier to see IRL.  We can sort of make out the beginning of "CENTRAL", but beyond that... We recommend you go see for yourself.  (Of course, we recommend that on all of these photos.)

 

And, many thanks to everyone who voted in the recent Ghostsigns calendar contest.  We're waiting to hear the final results, but, the fact so many people entered, and so many people voted makes us feel warm inside; that people appreciate ghost signs is a wonderful thing.  Thank you.

 

Still Open

 

Technically not a ghost sign, because they're still in business.  But, it is an advert, it is art, and it's faded.  So, it qualifies here. 

 

Also, time is running out to cast your votes for the Ghostsigns calendar competition. 

We have three that are in the running for inclusion, but none of them should be considered a shoe-in.

 

As said earlier, Cincinnati has a rich history, and a wealth of wonderful ghost signs, and we think this is a fantastic way to put the city on the international stage in this small, but devoted community of ghost sign fans.  And the Hastings, Nebraska, sign is just plain worthy.

 

If you haven't voted, I would greatly appreciate your support.  If you have voted, thank you!  Now, spread the word.     

 

Here's the cheat sheet:

 

And here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151962479160255.1073741828.205413150254&type=1

All you have to do is "like" the individual picture.  That counts as a vote.

 

Thanks!  Now, I'll stop bothering you.

 

Conroy's

 

Visible from Central Parkway, but actually sitting on Central Avenue, near Findlay.  Pull into the Family Dollar store parking lot for the best view.  And from there, you might be able to see tomorrow's entry...

International Attention for Cincinnati

 

Yes, there are other people in the world who appreciate those faded advertisements, ghost signs, on the sides of old buildings, and right now, some of them are in the midst of a contest.

 

The 12 most popular ghost signs from around the world will appear in a 2014 calendar.  And I think that since Cincinnati has so many fantastic ghost signs, there's no reason it shouldn't dominate in the voting.

 

How to vote, and get Cincinnati foremost in the minds of ghost sign hunters?  Go to their facebook page, and Like the photos you like. 

 

Which ones are from Cincinnati?  These:

 

 

(Yes, it's a duplicate.)

 

 

Once again, simply go to the ghost signs page, and click "Like" on the individual photo.  And share this with your friends. 

 

Fans of ghost signs do travel a bit, and while it may be a stretch to imagine Cincinnati attracting photographers and tourists like the swallows of Capistrano, having a few entries in the calendar couldn't hurt but garner a little more publicity for the city.

 

Voting ends around noon, London-time, this Friday. 

 

Thank you, in advance.

Confirmation

 

We'd been eyeballing this building on Main Street for a while, confident there was something beneath that graffiti, and then one evening: Pow.  The sun hit it just right. 

 

Now, what it says is anyone's guess.  There's ORTI at top left, but I can't tell what's to the right, or below.

Ole' 35

 

The City of Cincinnati just built a new home for Engine Company 35, and over the weekend, they made the move official, officially making this a ghost sign.

Mmmmm, Sandwiche s

 

My friends have to be getting sick of going on walks with me, because it's an unending stream of "Oooh, wait a second. Gotta get a picture of this."

Not What We Thought

 

In the 1500 block of Pleasant, there's this building.  Not much to talk about, until you notice this:

 

And this:

 

We thought for certain they were signs for a fire company, as we've seen on other firehouses.  But, maybe not.  Look again at the building.  It doesn't look quite right for a fire station.  And a visit to the Cincinnati Fire Department's History Page doesn't mention anything about a station on Pleasant.

 

So, your guess is as good as ours.  As usual.

Westwood

 

Just below Montana, on Harrison. 

 

Look up Habig's on Google, and you'll find reference to a Habig's Restaurant, just up the road at Harrison and Urwiller.  A closer look shows there's just a parking lot there now.  Google "Habig's Drugs", and you'll find other pictures of this same ghost sign on Flickr.

 

But, the Habig's name lives on in painting and drywall, apparently.

 

Sycamore and Milton

 

Would you believe we spotted this while driving?  Down the hill, through the leaves, even. 

 

 

A sharper angle, and color correction doesn't really reveal much more than what was already visible.

 

It's on the north side, about three doors up the hill from Milton's Tavern.

 

********************

And, if you've missed it, there's a video including some of the entries in the Ghostsigns calendar contest:

 

 

 

Waiting...

 

... for gentrification to catch up.

 

And, don't forget: there's still time to vote for your favorite entries in the Ghostsigns calendar competition over at Facebook.  We have 5 entries, (although one is a duplicate), and by the latest tallies, our Barq's Root Beer is in third place, with the Ice Cream Parlor/Carpets sign tied for fourth.  The Hotel Clarke may still be in the running, but it will be close, and the Mockbee entry, isn't doing all that well.

 

Still, having Cincinnati, Ohio, and perhaps Hastings, Nebraska, represented on an international calendar won't be half bad, eh?

 

(For your convenience, here's a quick look at our entries:)

 

Tell your friends!

 

A Brief History Lesson

 

If ghost signs aren't historical, and important, why does the "River City" exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center include this display of a wall dog painting one?  Hmmmmm?

 

If a historian feels it's an art form worth including in a historical display, perhaps we, today, should not be so quick to paint over them.

Here endeth the lesson.

Turn Around, Bright Eyes

 

In the summer and fall of 2012, I spent a lot of time hunting in Camp Washington. This particular sign escaped my notice.  It's embarrassing, because I rode my bike along this street several times.  But, each time, I was southbound, hoping to get a better shot of these.  And each time, all I had to do was look behind me to see the Force.

 

So, the lessons are clear for ghost sign hunting:
1. Look up.

2. Look behind you.

3. If there's a sign on one side of the building, there could be another sign on the other side.

 

On a brighter note, our fourth entry in the Ghostsigns calendar competition is up, and needs your liking.  Today is the deadline for entries.  Should we submit a fifth photo?  If so, which one?

 

Some of the Best of the Best

 

 

There's so much going on here, the camera doesn't even begin to catch it all.  You've got the Buckeye Saws on the right, the illegible stuff across the top on the left.  Below that, C.M. Mockbee.  Below that, there's signage that wasn't bold enough for the camera, but is visible to the naked eye.  And below that, the Reliance Art Metal sign.

 

This is the fourth entry in the Ghostsign's calendar contest.  Go to their facebook and vote for your favorites, by "liking" the picture.  The 12 with the most "likes" will be selected for the international calendar. 

 

Several of you have already voted for the three entries we submitted previously, and I thank you greatly!  And, we hope you like this one enough to "like" it too!

Entries Sent

 

For consideration of inclusion in an international calendar collection of some of the world's finest ghost sign, we have submitted these three beauties.

 

We can submit two more.  Suggestions?

Oh, and you'll need to "vote", by going to facebook and liking these entries, once they appear.

 

Thanks in advance!

Court Street

 

For years, there's been activity inside the building on Court Street.  Nothing commercial, mind you.  Just moving around the furniture and construction materials and debris.  It's as though who ever owns the place has plans, but doesn't really want to do anything.

 

H. Lauber was a purveyor of fine china and glassware.  A quick search turns up a few hits on eBay and on YouTube.

 

Incidentally, this is where some kid tried to mug me some time back.  He's in prison now.

 

(Still accepting suggestions for the calendar.  Which sign on this blog would you want to look at for a month?)