Monday, March 31

K&F CHINA


"K&F CHINA ...ERS"
There is more painted signage on the tile behind the white wooden planks.

230 Arch Street [map]

Monday, March 24

John Evans' Sons Inc.




"John Evans' Sons, Inc."
Springmaker. This was home to the business from 1870 to 1967.
History on the company available on their website.


Detail of (mostly) unaltered lettering from the late 1800s.


Interesting logotype.



As seen in 1960.



506 N. 13th Street [map]

Monday, February 18

Philadelphia Belting Company





"Philadelphia Belting Company
MANUFACTURERS LEATHER BELTING"

6th and Spring Garden [map]

Sunday, February 17

Union Transfer Co.


"Union Transfer Co.
Baggage Express"



Space has served many purposes - a Spaghetti Warehouse, now a music venue by the original name.

1026 Spring Garden [map]

Esslinger's Brewery - Plant No. 1





Older, larger sign with "Esslinger" script, covered by newer, yellow-background sign.


Another sign appears far beneath, the only remaining legible section reading "... & SON."

This could be a remnant of G. Dallett & Son Co., a candle and soap works that occupied the corner space until moving further up Ridge Avenue in 1880. Archival illustration depicts both George Esslinger’s Brewery & Lager Beer Garden and Dallett’s Soap & Candle Manufactury as neighbors on this corner in 1884.

To get a sense of the Esslinger script and color pallette, look at these items: <a href=" target="_blank" www.usbeerstuff.com="" />beer label, beer can, Quizzie case, serving tray, menu sheet, and model delivery truck. For some history on Esslinger's, see here.


Ornate corner signage in stone.


More signage in stone.

10th Street and Ridge Avenue [map]

Friday, February 15

The Bicycle with the National Reputation



On 10th Street side of building, possibly newer signage?
"The Bicycle with the National Reputation".

Vertical signage along rightmost column (not visible here) reads "BLACK BEAU(TY)" partially obscured.
Smaller diagonal signage between windows - "NORFOLK" "NEWARK" "BRA... ...ES"



According to the periodical Iron Age (Jan-June 1919), Haverford Bicycle Company owner Max Sladkin purchased the property at 10th & Buttonwood to manufacture bicycles and bicycle parts. 


According to this catalogs (1, 2, 3), The Black Beauty was a line of bicycle models HBC sold.


Another shot from alankin's photostream.



"(LEA?)THER GOODS."
Hamilton Street, front of building.


"HAVERFORD CYCLE CO."





Other views, opposite side of building, facing lot.




Other sides of building.
Most overlapping signage now illegible.


More modern signage from newer occupants.



10th and Buttonwood Sts. [map]

Wednesday, February 6

YATES & CO. CLOTHING




"YATES & CO. CLOTHING"
Other signage appears beneath, painted over.

Apologies for the image quality - these are screen grabs from Google Maps Street View. This sign still stands, but new construction has taken place on the lot in front of the sign prior to my being able to shoot it, blocking it from view.

Located in the Ledger Building at 626 Chestnut Street, and selling clothes for children and boys, the store was at one time considered to be the “largest clothing house in America.”

View a scanned picture book/catalog via the Internet Archive.

An alternate view can be seen below, part of chrisinphilly's North Philadelphia Flickr set:



Broad and Indiana [map]

Wednesday, January 30

Block Go-Carts




Partially identified as "Block Go-Carts" (see here) in 1924.
Older signage appears beneath.

1134-1148 N American Street [map]

Shein's Express




"SHEIN'S EXPRESS, TRENTON - NEWARK - NEW YORK"

49 Laurel Street [map]

... Express?



"...STATE EXPRESS"
Many overlapping signs, all covered over with red paint.

Frankford Avenue, between Mercer and Master Streets [map]

Tuesday, January 29

Philadelphia Life Insurance Company





"Philadelphia Life Insurance Company" on rear of building.
Buildings are currently being razed,
amid much controversy (see here and here).

N Broad Street between Arch and Cherry [map]