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Roy Reed

@royreed.bsky.social

600 followers 68 following 380 posts

Photographer, website designer (retired), #kite flyer and lover of medieval stuff, London and #Cornwall - and a #ghostsign or two. Co-author of 'Ghost Signs: A London Story'. reeddesign.co.uk reeddesign.co.uk/ghostsignsmap flickr.com/photos/royreed

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · Nov 23

I'm the co-author of the book 'Ghost Signs - A London Story' and I maintain the map of London's #ghostsigns which currently stands at just over 1,000.

reeddesign.co.uk/ghostsignsmap/

London Ghost Signs Map (and Book) - ReedDesign

This page shows a map of just over 1,000 ghost signs in London.

reeddesign.co.uk

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Reposted by Roy Reed

Jonathan Foyle @jonathanfoyle.bsky.social · 1d

"Each bitcoin transaction generates carbon emissions roughly equivalent to driving a gasoline-powered car between 1,600 and 2,600 kilometres." blogs.lse.ac.uk/businessrevi...

The large environmental consequences of bitcoin mining - LSE Business Review

The energy demands of bitcoin mining contribute to rising carbon emissions because of the greenhouse gas footprint embodied in its complex global supply chains.

blogs.lse.ac.uk

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 2d

A grey heron was letting people get very close at Wadebridge today, and the little egret was posing very nicely.

#Cornwall

A little egret standing on one leg on a rock with blue water in the background.

Reposted by Roy Reed

Sam at BLAG @blag.typo.social.ap.brid.gy · 4d

Good to know this one's still going strong, so thank you John Edwards for photo/update.

I've posted the text from our book, Ghost Signs: A London Story (https://ghostsigns.co.uk/book), in the alt text.

Spratt’s/A.H. Payne | Gunn’s, Acton Lane W4 (between […]

[Original post on typo.social]

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 5d

I remember now. It disappeared in 2015 when the washing machine shop closed and was taken over by a restaurant. That bit of wall was knocked down.

Reposted by Roy Reed

Roger Chicken @rogerchicken.bsky.social · 6d

Qu'est ce que c'est? Anyone have any idea?

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 6d

That's very odd. I thought that one was already on the map. I've known about it for years as it was just down the hill from my old flat. I'll add it tomorrow. Thanks Roger.

Reposted by Roy Reed

Sam at BLAG @blag.typo.social.ap.brid.gy · 6d

I was interviewed about ghost signs for a feature that's now published in the current (November) issue of Homes & Antiques magazine: https://www.homesandantiques.com/magazine/november-2025-issue.

This is the opening spread, with the headline image of London's […]

[Original post on typo.social]

Spread from a magazine dominated by a photo on the left page that shows a detached brick building beyond a bridge, with the building adorned with a fading painted sign that says "Take Courage". This is overlaid with the headline "Hunting Ghost Signs". The right page shows two more fading painted signs on the top half, with the openings paragraphs of the article itself below these.

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 6d

#AdoorableThursday

A midnight blue door with a rounded arch top, set in a granite stone building.

Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 7d

The best live album ever!

Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 7d

Little Egret on the River Camel at Wadebridge #Cornwall

A little egret with its wings outstretched just about to land on the water.

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 7d

Wadebridge Sunset

#Cornwall

The sun has set behind some trees on a river bank. The sky is streaked with orange light which is reflected in the river.

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 9d

Honey Fungus (armillaria mellea)

#Autumn

A mass of small light brown mushrooms on a mossy bank with ivy leaves.

A group of small light brown mushrooms on a mossy bank with ivy leaves.

A group of small light brown mushrooms on a mossy bank with fern leaves.

Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 10d

Storm Amy breaking on Trethias Island at Treyarnon Bay #Cornwall

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Reposted by Roy Reed

Sam at BLAG @blag.typo.social.ap.brid.gy · 13d

Just one more sleep now until I get my hands on an advance copy of the American Sign Museum book that I've written. I cannot wait to see it!

March feels a long time ago now, but this trip was the catalyst for the intense months that followed:

https://bl.ag/my-week-at-the-american-sign-museum/ […]

Original post on typo.social

typo.social

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 13d

Shaggy Ink Cap (coprinus comatus)

#toadstool #funghi #autumn

A clump of four shaggy white toadstools growing out of dark green moss on a forest floor.

Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 15d

They're all on Orchard Place, E14.

Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 15d

It's painted, and yes, it's possible that the layout for the updated signs was done on a PC, but I've seen many signs done by sign writers with just as bad anomalies.

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 15d

Although it is odd that having decided to restore them, they didn't keep to the original typography.

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 15d

I'm no fan of restoring ghost signs, but if they're going to be restored I'd rather they were done like this than done as faux ghost signs like the ones that were done by Ballymore at East India Docks in 2017.

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Reposted by Roy Reed

Conrail Twitty @grenadine.bsky.social · 17d

This building has recently been demolished 💔

It was a house w a storefront added onto the front. At one time it was Robert’s Confectionery.

Demolition of the corner building on Linwood revealed an old ghost sign, w bright colors kept crispy fresh bc the other building had covered it for so long.

My photo of a barn shaped house with a single story storefront added onto the front. The windows are boarded up, and there is a red Coca-Cola ghost sign on one wall.

My photo of the vibrant, red and green Coca-Cola ghost sign on the side of a vacant building. The sign reads, Robert’s Confectionery. Ice cream - tobacco. Drink Coca Cola. Delicious and refreshing.

The words, “delicious and refreshing” have somewhat of a shadow under them, as if the sign was painted over at some point and redone.

My detail photo of the words “delicious and refreshing” on a red and green ghost sign on a brick wall. The colors are rich and are probably old lead paint. The words are painted twice, as if an earlier version of the sign is showing through as the sign ages.

My closeup detail photo of the artist’s signature on an old ghost sign on a brick wall. The last letter is partially obscured, but the signature probably said BAYS. The sign features red, green, yellow, white, and black paint. You can see little cracks in some of the red paint.

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 19d

The Robinson Crusoe theme from the 1960s.

youtube.com/watch?v=RNsV...

Robinson Crusoe : Opening Credits and Complete Theme Music : 1960's TV Series

YouTube video by david verti calman

m.youtube.com

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 19d

Surfing's over as the sun sets at Constantine Bay #Cornwall

Two surfers carrying their boards walking along the beach silhouetted against the setting sun.

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 25d

I've driven past this quite a few times, but never been able to stop. I've added The Barnes Pharmacy to the map.

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Roy Reed @royreed.bsky.social · 25d

167 King Street was the premises of Layton & Co. butchers from at least 1914-1939.

Before that 165, 167 & 169 King Street were occupied by Beckett & Taverner, drapers.

I can't see anything from either of those names left in the sign. It's far too faded.

Reposted by Roy Reed

Rebecca Lambert (She/Her) ♾️🐭🍉 @ladyliminal.bsky.social · Sep 13

Am giving this talk tonight 🙂

Rebecca Lambert (She/Her) ♾️🐭🍉 @ladyliminal.bsky.social · Sep 9

This Saturday, from 8pm, I’m giving a short talk for the wonderful @edgeways.bsky.social group.
It’s free, but attendees do need to register beforehand. I’m really looking forward to it, hopefully see some of you there 🙂
tinyurl.com/NewEdgewaysR...

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