York St John University researchers Dr Tyson Mitman and Maise Wilson have begun a mission to uncover the hidden histories behind York’s hidden “Ghost signs” - old, hand-painted advertisements which have been preserved on a building for an extended period of time.
The pair are documenting digital records of their findings of old public signs on their website. One of their featured signs is for Mackinder Clothing on Church Street, originally owned by tailer Wingate Mackinder, notable for funeral wear and military clothing during the First World War.
However, not all signs are ancient, one from the 1990s advertises Charlies Games, reflecting early computer gaming culture. For more information go to blog.yorksj.ac.uk/yorkghostsignsproject.
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