Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Tip Top Tailors Ghost Sign

I found this ghost sign downtown on Richmond St West  and if you look closely you can see that there are actually 2 ghost signs - the predominant smaller one is the older one and you can see the faint outlines of a taller sign that had been painted over it. I found a pic of the building taken in 1916 when the building was 5 stories  tall showing the small sign occupying the whole side. The building is now 6 stories high so the tall, more faded one was painted after and didn't last as well! Anyway, Tip Top Tailors has been a major menswear retailer in Canada since its first store opened in 1909 and they occupied this building until 1929 when a move was made to a wonderful Art Deco building on Lakeshore Blvd.
Taking part in Signs,Signs. Click here for more signs.

26 comments:

Lesley said...

I wonder if there is some kind of finish than be done to the bricks to preserve these ghost signs. That would be nice - especially since they kept the old rooftop sign on the condo building.

Lindy said...

Five and six stories high - what a job that had to be! Great find!

My sign entry is here: Signs

VioletSky said...

It has held up rather well all things considered!

Pat said...

You just don't see signs like this anymore on sides of buildings, right? It's a rare find!

Anonymous said...

i agree with lesley's comment. shouldn't there be a movement to preserve these old signage?

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Amazing what you can discover in these ghost signs. We have quite a few in the older parts of Melbourne.

EG CameraGirl said...

TipTop sign, RedPat!

Deb said...

They made them to last in those days!

Paul in Powell River said...

Yes, that is tiptop! Well seen!

Lúcia said...

Unfotunately we don't see ghost signs around here, it's an interesting theme to photograph. ;-)

genie said...

a lot of effort went into painting these signs. love the idea of ghost signs. a cool name. this is a fabulous find. genie

Chattahoochee Valley Daily said...

Very cool.

Halcyon said...

Cool ghost sign! I always like seeing these. Advertising was simpler back then. :)

Jack said...

I like this ghost sign. You are quite a sign historian, aren't you?

Randy said...

I love old signs like this.

Gringo said...

Hi Red Pat, I like this pic. Ghost Signs - That's a good theme to follow up....!

Andy said...

Seeing these old ghost signs brings back memories from my past. Tip Top Tailors used to also be manufacture of clothing.

Francisca said...

Amazing it's still there!

Anonymous said...

Spectacular!

Sharon said...

I love these old signs!

Wayne said...

They're still in Vancouver and they've moved once or twice over the years but they're part of the mall now.

ArtandArchitecture-SF.com said...

Love ghost signs, they are such a special part of the past

Carola said...

Ghost sign, a fantastic name. Interesting shot.

Unknown said...

Coincidence! I also found an old tailor sign in Lisbon I will post soon. :-)

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh well done Pat, for finding the ghost signs and for all the info to go with them.

Kranky Granny said...

Once again you taught me something new. I've seen these types of sign my whole life but never new they were called ghost signs. Makes perfect since now that I have read it.