A Taste of Summer

Tucked away behind a building in the city is this reminder of summer.

Proud Father

On my way home this week I spotted this sign on the side of a joinery workshop.

Normal Family

Anyone need a quirky Christmas present idea?

Concrete

Did he? Well good for him!

Peace Mat

Always look up is my usual motto when out with the camera, occasionally it pays to look down as well!

Years of Service

Barnitts store has been a part of York for over 100 years. It sells just about everything, that is all you need to know!

S is for Stop

If you find yourself outside York Minster and wish to travel to the National Railway Museum, you can ask a passing train to Stop and take you there. The road train is beloved by boys of all ages, and a few girls too I expect.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Monkey Business

This handsome metal bracket can be found high up above Monkey Puzzle, a jewellery shop on High Petergate.

E is for Evil Eye

One of the more modern signs on Stonegate is this one for the Evil Eye cocktail bar. Not the most welcoming of signs you might think but I think it is intended as a talisman against the evil eye rather than inflicting harm on potential customers!
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Famous Ghost Sign

One of the most photographed signs in York is visible from this section of the walls. This ghost sign is now kept in good order as a quaint reminder of the ancient practice of advertising before pop ups!

You've Been Framed

This is an advert for a business that claims to be able to frame anything. Judging by this sign on the outside wall of their shop I believe them!

Red Devil

Meet one of York's most famous residents. This chained devil is carved of wood and can be found on Stonegate at the entrance to Coffee Yard. Printer's devils were small boys who were used to fetch the type, and this symbol was used to indicate a printing establishment. The devil was also held responsible for any 'typos' that crept into the finished work.
On this day in 1719 York's first ever newspaper was published by a woman called Grace White who had inherited her husband's printing business in Coffee Yard. I wonder if she knew this little devil?

F is for Francis Hildyard

In the 17th century book publishing flourished in York. At 35 Stonegate, a sign in the form of a Holy Bible dated 1682, still hangs over the doorway of what was once Francis Hildyard's bookshop. In those days booksellers were often publishers as well, Laurence Sterne's novel ‘Tristram Shandy' was reputed to be published here from 1760 onwards. The bible still hangs over the entrance and hints at it's illustrious past, but sadly the shop no longer sells books, instead it is a 'Haunted House' experience.
Taking part in ABC Wednesday

Merchant Adventurers' Crest

This splendid coat of arms can be found above one of the entrances to the York Merchant Adventurers' Hall. The motto can be translated as' God give us good fortune' which the merchants wished for in a spiritual as well as financial sense.