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August, 2010:

Bohack – Maspeth, Queens

© Frank H. Jump

© Frank H. Jump

Bonded Products Co – Paper, Twine, Janitor Supplies – Long Island City, Queens

Off the LIE approach to the Midtown Tunnel © Frank H. Jump

Chas R. Wiesemann & Co – House of Cheswill – Atlantic Avenue – Richmond Hill, Queens

© Frank H. Jump

© Frank H. Jump

House of Cheswill © Frank H. Jump

Jacobson Brothers Red Cross Shoes – Queens Blvd – Rego Park

© Frank H. Jump

Summer Rain – Scranton NEPA

© Frank H. Jump

Rexall Pharmacy – Pepsin Ad – Green Ridge – Scranton, NEPA

© Frank H. Jump

Previously posted on Fading Ad Blog – July 19, 2008

Fading Ad Blog does NY Daily News: Queens Edition- Tuesday, August 25, 2010

Fading away on brick buildings throughout Queens, ‘ghost signs’ advertise the businesses and product BY NICHOLAS HIRSHON

Fading away on brick buildings throughout Queens, “ghost signs” advertise the businesses and products of yesteryear – a form of commercial art that preserves history with a vintage touch.

But the unique signs, some of which date to the 1930s, often go unnoticed by locals and tourists because the borough does not promote its own old-fashioned flair.

“They help paint the landscape you live in,” said Frank Jump, a Queens-bred blogger who photographs ghost signs. “We’re urban-dwellers. There’s not a lot of beauty in cities. It brings you back.”

To call attention to the classic ads, Jump is pushing Borough Hall to create a trail linking them with brochures or podcasts.

Jeanne Noonan for NY Daily News taking the shots for this article © Frank H. Jump

Read more:

Scranton Lithographing Company – Scranton, PA

© Frank H. Jump

Green Ridge Bank – Green Ridge, Scranton PA

© Frank H. Jump

Art? Treatments or Picture & Frames? – Variety of Stores Over Time – Mouldings, Pictures & Mirrors – Kuluta Buddhist Centre – Limestone Cremation Services – Kingston, Ontario

© Frank H. Jump

Upper left - Art? in stylized letters. The newer block letters look like a proprietor's name with the last name being Wright. © Frank H. Jump

The three central vertical signs between the windows having writing going sideways. Look at the same three panels turned 90º CW below. The newer block lettering shows CAPS clearly in the center panel. © Frank H. Jump

Mouldings, Pictures & Mirrors © Frank H. Jump

© Frank H. Jump

In the spirit of variety stores, this location has sold a variety of items over time.