Geotype Submission

The Geotype project charts the rich history of lettering and type forms that have established the identity of cities and towns around the world. Explore the map

How does this letter-form communicate its location?

I chose this example partially because of its peculiar placement. Although I must have walked past this sign many times before, I only spotted it on an actively observant walk around the city. Unfortunately I couldn’t find a great deal about the history of this building, although it’s opposite the Magistrates Court and appears to have been previously owned by Derby City Council, and perhaps operated as a public council building. To me it tells the story of Derby somewhat as a contradictory sign - where once again the past contradicts the present. Although the language on this sign is clearly directing people to a ‘Public Entrance’, it sits next to a boarded up door in a disused building, a testament to the demise of the city.

Location

Bold Lane, Derby, UK