Help to date vintage sign

Hi all,

New to the forum and wondered if anyone could assist in potentially trying to date an old sign.
The sign in question is an old number placard which is made from metal with what appears to be an enamel coating. It once hung from a building and I'm trying to ascertain if it dates around the 1880's or if it's a later production.
An image is attached.

Many thanks

 

https://www.jtrforums.com/forum/rip...ents/25905-jack-the-ripper-on-facebook/page14 scroll down to near the end of the page.

 

Hi there, yes this is why I ask about trying to date the piece. The building from where it originates is quite significant in the Jack the Ripper case and it was myself that posted it on the JTR Forum however I've been told that it is likely a later edition and probably not present on the night that the double murders of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes were discovered on September 30th 1888. It was also where the Ripper was suspected of dropping a piece of blood stained apron belonging to one of his victims which was located by PC Alfred Long at around 02:55am.
I've tried but failed to find images of the building from back in 1888 and would love to prove that the sign was there on that fateful morning.
Thanks

 

Seems like important and time saving information you could have shared to begin with, but alright. It's all out there now so that's good.

The sign certainly does look to have some age to it. From what i've read, companies in the UK started making porcelain/enamel signs for businesses in the mid 1880s. You'll have to track someone down who knows the history of early UK signage to get a real determination.

 

Someone should be able to date it by the typefaces. I can't but... Looks Edwardian -ish to my eye.

Debora

 

My apologies, I wasn't sure if the full details/provenance were required as I just thought that someone who specialises in metalware/signage may have been able to put a rough date/age to the item. I'll keep looking on the Web for a potential UK specialist.
Many thanks

 

It's only been posted here for an hour......... 1 hour.

We're not all here , all the time & it's Saturday ..... so maybe check back in here from time to time , to see if others have come around to offer their help !

 

Yes I will do. I have no intention of taking the post down and will obviously check back from time to time to see what other comments feed through.

 

You want a graphic designer who is knowledgeable about type faces to date it.

Debora

 

Really interesting! I'm sure you've seen this as it's likely from the same photo you posted. Not really help in dating that I can see. The British seem terribly good at documenting so I'd expect that somewhere there exists the information you're looking for.


The entrance to the archway where the infamous "Goulston Street Graffito" was discovered.

https://www.casebook.org/victorian_london/sitepics.w-goul.html

 

Hi there,

Yes there are quite a few images of the doorway showing the sign and I believe it features heavily in the book "Jack The Ripper - The Final Solution" written by Stephen Night but I understand that these images were taken much later. There is some suggestion that the building went under some remodeling work in the 1900's so not sure if my sign was added around then. This is why I'd love to ascertain if it is the original and was present during The Rippers rein!

 

Given the sign is ill-fitting, I would think a later addition.

Debora

 

How is it ill fitting Debora? It’s where I’d expect it to be on a wall. I’m confused.

 

I think Debora is referring to how it extends from the brick area over (what looks like) the wood door jamb. It appears like an awkward placement, not original to the build.

 

Hi,

The picture is quite deceiving. A portion of the brick work in the image has been painted black giving the impression that it protrudes/extends beyond the door jamb. This image may be clearer.

 

How funny! A bit of an optical illusion, isn't it? How the black-striped side recedes. Thanks for pointing that out.

Debora