Co-operative Society – Argyle St., Lancaster, 1898

The Lancaster & Skerton Equitable Industrial Co-operative Society, Argyle St., Lancaster. One of a number of varied signs on the frontage of these small Co-op stores in Lancaster. This example is set in relief.

Salisbury, UK

A small number of photos taken over a decade ago. I found these on a camera that I’d thought I’d lost, along with the photographs.

International Brigades Memorial, Copenhagen

I came across this on a recent trip to Copenhagen: a memorial to the International Brigades of the Spanish Civil War. It was designed by Peter Ulrich and dedicated to the 550 Danes who went to fight for the Spanish Republic.

Worcester, UK

Worcester is lovely city, with some outstanding architecture and great examples of lettering. Hops seem to be an an abiding element of the city’s history and industry, and represented in several of the examples found.

Militia Barracks, Lancaster

The keystone to the front doorway of the Militia Barracks shows the date of construction, along with the Lancashire Rose motif and a crown. The letters are of an unusual design: a slight, spidery, script-like form that seems out of character with the robust scale of the building. The Barracks, located on South Road, was designed by Edmund Sharpe in 1854

Yates & Jackson – former Farmer’s Arms pub, Lancaster

A seldom noticed example of lettering from the city of Lancaster. This stained glass window in found in theback stairwell of a pub (formally the Farmer’s Arms and now called the Penny Street Bridge) on the corner of King Street and Aldcliffe Rd. The motif is of the firm, Yates and Jackson, who were one of

Spiritualist Church, Lancaster

Lancaster Spiritualist Church on St. Bulk Road – Britten Hall (named after Emma Hardinge Britten, 1823-99). In 2007-2008, it was ear-marked for demolition as part of the ‘Centros’ development of the area, but the plans were shelved as a result of a public enquiry into the proposals. The stone-cut lettering has very fine serifs. Location: Bulk Road, Lancaster,

St Helen’s Church, Bishopgate, London

  I came across this doorway to the church of St Helen’s in Great St Helen’s, a winding lane off Bishopsgate while wandering through the City of London a few weeks ago. It’s tucked off the main road and sits between modern office blocks (The Gerkin) and the usual deadzone of closed fast food shops that

Carlisle, September 2014

A recent trip to Carlisle and some more fine examples of lettering from this impressive northern city. Location: Carlisle, Cumbrian, UK.

Walmsley and Welch, Lancaster

This is probably my favourite example of memorial lettering in Lancaster: if only because of the beauty of the lettering. They are superbly rended in a wonderfully elegant serif . The large sandstone slab on which the lettering sits, is to be found set in the floor just outside the entrance to the Trinity United Reform Church