Signs that brightened up the town!
Before the ability to read became widespread, symbolic trade signs were often placed above shop doorways and served as a visual aid to inform would-be customers about the types of wares sold inside. These signs were often brightly coloured and must have been a sight to behold dotted about the town. One of the few survivors still in use today is the barber's red and white striped pole. This advertising technique was important in a port like Hull, where people were arriving from all over the world speaking many different languages and might not be able to read English. #SUBHEADING# Instrument Maker's Shop Sign #SUBHEADINGEND# The sign shown here was placed above the shop of Mr. Harrison of Dock Street, Hull, close to the premises of Hull Maritime Museum. The shop opened in the mid 1800s and sold nautical instruments, charts and ship stores. The sign remained there until about World War I. The figure would have been placed high up so it could be seen by crews on ships coming into Queens Dock as well as people walking along the quays. Similar signs were fixed outside shops down streets such as Lowgate and High Street. This example is made of carved wood which is painted with the typical uniform of a naval officer between 1825 and 1850 - a black bicorn hat with gold braid, a blue coat with gold epaulets and braid, and white trousers with a sword. He holds an octant, which was a type of instrument used to navigate a ship. It could find a ship's latitude position by measuring the height of the Sun or a star. Charles Dickens mentioned a similar figure in his book Dombey and Son and called it the 'little timber midshipman'. #SUBHEADING# A Piece of Art #SUBHEADINGEND# The wooden figure is interesting for its artistic merit as a symbol of craftsmanship, and is a piece of what might be called folk art. It was visually appealing whilst also being durable enough to withstand the outdoor weather. Unfortunately we do not know who the maker is. The sign is also interesting for what it represents - a time when British consumerism was growing and retail outlets becoming widespread. The early nineteenth century brought an increase in both the number of shops and recognisable retail districts in towns and cities, and in the range of goods available. Only those who could promise utmost quality in goods were given the right to show such figures above their doors. It was a period which saw the linking up of mass production and craftsmanship.
