Thursday 22 July 2010

Printing Office, Bradford-on-Avon

As I wandered through the streets of the charming little town of Bradford-on-Avon I could hardly miss the sign painted between the first and second floor windows of this Georgian building.

Printing Office

If the sign on the façade is very basic, the one on the side is much more elaborate and interesting. Judging by the different lettering, it seems to have been painted in two stages. My guess is the older part is the one with the much more elegant letters (from 'Circulating' to 'China'). Unfortunately I haven't been able to read the top line, which certainly featured the name of the business. Click on the image on the right to see the sign much more clearly.

W...
Bookseller
Stationer
Printer
Book Binder
------
Circulating
Library
Goss [?]
[Drawing of coat of arms with below
'Bradford-on-Avon']
Heraldic China
Photographic
Dealer
Dark Room

The coat of arms. It represents the famous seventeenth century bridge over the River Avon with the lockup (two arches date from the thirteenth century and the lockup was originally a chapel). Quite a rarity as relatively few signs include a drawing.


Location: Silver Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire / Pictures taken on: 17/07/2010

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