Not got an original photo for this one, so a Streetview screengrab will have to do:
Thanks to hash tag on the urban75 boards for the tip off. I like the “ahh sod it, that’ll do for now” vibe of the sign, and that it has done, in all likelihood, since the late 1980s.
It’s not the only aquarium on this site either, the Crystal Palace Aquarium was added in 2010, and pleasingly, 14 years later, it looks like the same signage, and 01 number is still in place:
Screenshot taken: 29/01/24
Filed under 01
Another excellent contribution from hash tag on the urban75 boards. Some cursory research indicates that Geo King metals as a company was wound up in 2012, and it appears the premises are now residential, but it’s nice to see the old signage preserved, or if not preserved, at least not just chucked in a skip. It’s always interesting to get a sense of what came before in a place. Especially if that is a non-specific, slightly mysterious business such as whatever Geo King Metals was.
Photo taken November 2023
Filed under 01
Another beauty courtsey of hash tag over on urban75. An absolutley classic takeaway frontage that must be well into its fourth decade, but still looks pretty smart. Particularly like the juxtaposition of the 01 number above, and the 020 7 number on the awning.
Photo taken June 2023
Filed under 01
Thanks again to the good posters on the urban75 message boards (and specifically hash tag) for this spot, on the corner of Crossway and Kingsland High Street in Dalston. A relic of the past, pointing towards a location that no longer exists, and next to a clock just to underline the point.
I tried to find out if the HCRE still exists, but it doesn’t even seem to have a wikipedia page, so I’m guessing not. The latest reference I found was on this biography of Ralph Adolphus Straker OBE, who was apparently an officer there until 1987.
Photo taken: January 2024
Filed under 01
Well would you look at that. Truly a thing of beauty. Another snap courtesy of stdP on the urban75 boards, and it’s a belter. The varied, artful (hand-painted?) lettering. The clarity and detail still present 33+ years after 01 codes were replaced by their vulgar 071 and 081 cousins. The aesthetically distressed corrugated metal context. I love everything about this sign, and this photo.
Snooping about a bit on Google Streetview, it doesn’t look like Square Deal Pavings are still in business.
Or if they are, they moved premises some time ago. Either way, they left this beautiful artefact behind, for which we can only be grateful.
Photo taken: 12/03/2023
Filed under 01
A beautiful, text book example of an implicit 01, from my old manor of West Ealing. Surprised I’d not nabbed this one years ago, but I hadn’t, so thanks to stdP on the urban75 forums for sending me this shot.
Not just a perfect implicit 01, but the shop front as a whole is a fantastic bit of typographical inspiration. The What The Font website tells me the main feature font could be Durango No2. Maybe if I ever get around to redesigning this site, I’ll use that for the headings 😎
Photo taken: 12/03/2023
Since I moved out of London in 2015, I’ve been reliant on the kindness of strangers to supply photos for this blog that I almost never update. This image was once again courtesy of the good burghers of the urban75 message boards, specifically tim (a previous contributor).
It’s a very evocative photo that raises all sorts of questions about Gold Seal Garage of Canning Town, but for our purposes the important thing is the darling little 01 phone number that hasn’t quite peeled off the sign at the back.
As pointed out by skyscraper101 over on urban75, Gold Seal Garage have a website, and it is quite a thing to behold, making the design of this blog look modern and up to date: goldsealgarage.com.
There is a pretty good view of the place on Google Streetview also.
Photo taken: July 2022
Filed under 01
This blog has been shaken from its slumber by this kind photo donation from Tim on the urban75 message boards. Strictly speaking this isn’t a legit 01, but as Tim points out, surely worthy of a special mention for having the pre- and post-01 versions of the phone number on display. Must be very satisfying keeping the same number for so long. Nice squirrel art on the windows too.
PS, the ALB refers to the ALBert Dock telephone exchange. All the old names and codes are listed here.
Hat tip to Puddy_Tat over on urban75.
Photo taken: January 2021
L. Hill Veneers Ltd. Gt. Eastern St, E1. Image credit: http://www.spitalfieldslife.com
Has it really been over two years since I updated this blog? Yes. Yes it has. Sad but true. But I was spurred into action after blossie33 on urban75 kindly pointed out two excellent tip top no.1 quality 01s on the equally excellent Spitalfields Life blog.
I have shamelessly stolen one, to embed in this post, but I would urge you to head over to the original article, to see the other, amongst a delightful ragbag of vintage and antiquated signage.
Photo taken: unknown
Filed under 01
Another oldie but goodie from urban75. This time kindly contributed by uk benzo. And this one is a bit special, not only a punchy, unapologetic 01 from Michael’s Meats, but a cheeky implied 01 sneaking in on the left, from The Baron Menswear. Doesn’t get any better than that. And the cherry on the cake? Both signs are still visible on streetview.
Photo taken: 28th August 2010
Dial 01 for London 