Weathered Walls and the Stories They Tell
Showcasing a few of NYC's Ghost Signs
Ghost signs are old ads left behind on weathered facades—a glimpse into the past open to anyone curious enough to pause for a moment and look up. They dot the landscape of New York City, but can be found in cities and small towns all across America. They’re often remnants of an era when hand-painted wall ads were a primary form of marketing—before billboards and digital displays took over.
Crown Fabrics Co. in Tribeca
At Church and White Streets in Tribeca, above a red brick building, there’s a faded banner that reads, “Look for the clothespin tag.” This cryptic message likely accompanied a now-faded hand-painted billboard ( to the right of the banner) that perhaps showcased the hang-tag or even a brand ad for it’s unconditionally washable “Soap N’ Water” fabrics.
Detail of the Clothespin Tag banner. The clothespin icon served as a quality guarantee—a promise to consumers that their garments made with Crown fabrics, could withstand repeated washings. In an era before synthetic fabrics, this was no small claim.
Lombardy Dresses on 37th Street just West of Broadway
Next time you’re in Midtown, take a brief detour to 37th street to see the Lombardy Dress ghost sign. The weathered ad speaks to the garment district heritage of this neighborhood. The business was located at 134 W. 37th Street from 1949 to the early 1970s. The Lombardy Dress company made many different styles of women’s dresses, and was known for bringing affordable version of Parisian fashions to the United States under the brand Suzy Perette. The company actually licensed the patterns of Dior dresses and produced “small-waisted petticoat looks” for a fraction of the cost so that fashionable Americans could emulate the glamor of Parisians. For more, check out this article by The Vintage Traveler.
Pearline Washing Compound on the Upper East Side
Construction at 72nd street and 2nd avenue has recently unveiled a vibrant ad for Pearline Washing Compound. The product was one of the first commercial laundry detergents appearing in the early 1900s. It was advertised as “best by test” and celebrated because it “washes without injury to color, fabric, or hands.” Their print ads are a particularly fascinating time-capsule into that era featuring young girls (often with their mothers) with the tagline “Train up a child”. You can see the Pearline Soap box below is the same as the one painted on the ghost sign. This ad may not last long as a 21-story condo is currently being built on the site.
Ghost signs remind us that our cities are constantly changing and if we pay attention, we can uncover hidden time capsules that reveal stories of long ago. Have you spotted a ghost sign in your area? If so, drop a note in the comments and share your discovery
Words of the Week
"London is satisfied, Paris is resigned, but New York is always hopeful. Always it believes that something good is about to come off, and it must hurry to meet it."
—Dorothy Parker
Photo of the Week
Some places in New York City resist the urge to change so completely that stepping inside feels like time travel. The Music Inn on West 4th street is one of those rare establishments. It was founded in 1958 as a record store, and soon began selling instruments. Since then, it has been a gathering place for musicians and music lovers. When you step inside, you’re often treated to an impromptu jam session. According to local legend, Bob Dylan (who used to live nearby) would often stop in and borrow instruments to play and then return.
These days the owner, Jeff Slatnick, sits inside sometimes repairing an instrument and always eager to answer any questions you may have.
Like ghost signs painted on city walls, places like The Music Inn are living pieces of NYC’s cultural history. If you’d like to see these sights in-person with me, you can check out my newly-launched website: Sidewalk Secrets.
Lia, another awesome post! I have a ghost sign for you but not in NYC. This one is in Harper's Ferry VA, which my family and I found at a hike during our annual family vacation. It is painted on the cliff face of Maryland Heights above the B&O Railroad crossing the Potomac River. It is an early 1900s advertisement for Mennen’s Borated Talcum Toilet Powder. It's the modern-day equivalent of Anti-Monkey Butt Powder! I cannot post pictures here but I will send to you via email.
Another Sunday, another day that I learned something new about NYC. I did not know about the music store. Thank you.