Fellow typophiles and letterati might want to direct themselves to Glyphics Signs on Leonard Street, EC2, right opposite the LASSCO architectural salvage yard. The company makes all manner of signage and print, from wayfinding and wallpaper to vinyls and hand lettering. But the real draw is the eclectic collection of alphabetical orphans they have for sale. I suppose you could call it a typographical salvage yard.
I found everything from a 1940s (?) brewery sign E to a French 1960s italicised O in green zinc. There are huge electric signs, door numbers, 3D letters and a gorgeous ampersand the size of a pony. You’ll find bits, bobs, off-cuts and whole signs rescued from pubs, cafés, public buildings, houses, factories, shops, fishing boats… and so it goes on. All of it is for sale.
The company was founded by Brian Heppell in 1985, and he now runs it alongside his son Tim and a busy team. On the day I visited, the very engaging Paul Crome welcomed me and showed me around the collection. Make sure you see the glorious Haddock Curer sign he rescued from oblivion. It reminded me that I have a hand-lettered Brick Lane shop sign in my attic that’s impatient to be restored.
You can see more at the Glyphics Signs website.
Tim
