BUS BLINDS
1940’s - 90’s
LONDON TRANSPORT ENAMEL SIGNS
LONDON UNDERGROUND ROUNDELS
MAPS 1920‘S ON. POSTERS, DIRECTION SIGNS, NOTICES
LONDON SPECIAL BUS SIGNS. 1960’s -70’s
London Transport Original Signs
LINKS TO PAGES press the buttons below.
LINKS TO PAGES press the buttons below.
TUBE TRAIN DESTINATION SIGNS. 1930’s - 60’s
LONDON UNDERGROUND & LONDON TRANSPORT
HARDWARE
TEMPORARY TUBE STATION SIGNS. 1960’s - 1970’s
BRITISH PUB NAME BUS BLINDS
SCHOOLS, UNI’S & HOSPITAL BUS BLINDS
THIS MONTH’S FAVOURITES Click the images to go to them!
Left. Tube train carriage handle, different types from 1938 - 1973
Over 70 titles
Welcome to my cluttered website. This started as a hobby and reflects decades of collecting. I'll deal with you in the most honest, prompt and businesslike manner I can.
This site enables me to share with you the truly evocative and iconic signs from London's famous transport system that I grew up with and depended on. Then, a few real copper coins bought a bus ticket that was reeled off by hand. You entered and left a tube station passing an inspector who checked your ticket. No electronic barriers to negotiate, no cameras watching your every move and the shiny red trains bore no mindless graffiti. Self-serve ticket machines only took coins and worked via simple buttons. No ‘ology’ in computer science was required. Unlike now, knife-carrying passengers were almost exclusively Boy Scouts or chefs harmlessly transporting the tools of their trade.
Do you remember those days of open platform buses with conductors and tube trains with guards? These often very extrovert people gave passengers a much more secure feeling, with some amusing banter as they dealt with ‘Joe Public’ thrown in. They also got the respect they deserved from passengers in their temporary care. Upstairs on a bus and in some tube train carriages you could legitimately light up a cigarette as your clothes soaked up the pong of tobacco. No ashtrays invited you to throw cigarette ends on the floor. Now discarded free newspapers, junk food wrappers and plastic bottles have replaced them. Conversation has also been either replaced by ‘leaky’ earphones pumping music that’s never of your choice directly into people’s heads or is interrupted by a sometimes menacing beggar thrusting a crying baby in your face.
Perhaps that’s why you’re here, enjoying a trip down ‘memory lane’ with me going back to what seemed like a much simpler, slower and safer world.
Virtually none of these signs are in use today, many go back to the late 1960's and some of the maps way way back to the 1920's. These make superb unique gifts that will last a lifetime. My awful photography does them no justice at all. Only a tiny selection of what’s available is shown. A few signs have crept in from outside London that may have some interest to you. The images are not to the same scale, nor does their poor quality show them as crisp as they really are, and are small so this site doesn't take a week to load. This site is copyright.
Right. Illuminated 50” roundel in full working order.
LONDON UNDERGROUND & LONDON TRANSPORT
HARDWARE
Below 1940s ILLUMINATED TRAIN INDICATORS
1960s LUGGAGE RACKS
Above, 14” Illuminated roundel.
Below enamel notice board header sign
Left. 1930’S ILUMINATED Tickets Seasons sign, a very rare survivor in working order. Below, British Transport & London City Police helmets
LINE CAR DIAGRAMS, simply lovely unused originals. 1970’s - 90’s Many pre-zoning.
ABOUT ME
and links
Thanks so much Haydn – fantastic service! And a really unique item.
What a pleasure to do business with someone who has a real passion for what they’re selling, and top notch service on top.
I won’t hesitate to recommend you to others (having come to you myself from a recommendation from a previous customer too!) All the best and thanks again. S
“Absolutely pleased as punch; they look better than I had hoped, super fast delivery and very clever packaging! I tip my cap to you! Thanks again”. GM.UK.
“It's here! It's amazing, absolutely perfect! I love it”! C.C.UK “Friendly, polite, and to-the-point service-very helpful”.
I received my order today! Thank you so much! You’ve been such a help throughout the process, so easy to work with, nothing was too much trouble and I LOVE THEM. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! K T
Thank you for everything, pleased to report my Aberdeen sign has arrived safely and in good time.
Will recommend your website you have gone above and beyond. Just brilliant customer service. Kind Regards T
Fantastic, friendly customer service with all questions answered promptly. Framed sign arrived in good time and the quality is superb. Thank you! WM
LONDON FOOTBALL CLUB, and sporting event related signs
LONDON UNDERGROUND WARTIME ARCHIVES, BOOKS
Below. From Wood Green Power Control Room, these beautifully made brass and enamel signs were set on top of the control gear for the station. 1930s. Private collection.
Something to sell?
I’m always interested in similar signs to feed my passion. Please pop your contact details onto this form by clicking on these words.
CUSTOMERS
PHOTOS
UNUSUAL THINGS FOR SALE. From an amazing cast iron stately Victorian gas fire to a freehold cafe!
