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?

On the way into Shrewsbury, I noticed typography that I hadn’t before…The Hop & Friar pub along St Julian’s Friars features a timeless style type within their branded signs, presented upon the side and front of the building as such the traditional manner of which pub signs predominantly lie. However, upon walking past the pub and taking note of both these signs, I noticed what I thought of as a ghost sign, sat towards the front of the pub, displaying a recent stability of the traditional context. The type within the sign very much reflects the traditionality and historical reference within the purpose of the type yet matches the modern branding and harmonises the setting within. As ghost signs are a popular element within Shrewsbury’s typographic and historical context, this suggests why I had originally overlooked the presence of this piece, therefore showing the fluidity and integration of this particular design. This also supports the statement of which Baines says that there is a “new found interest in nostalgia”, as the link between past and present becomes clear within the creation and integration of this design process. The original ghost signs were created for advertising purposes of which type was displayed on the side of buildings. Letters were formed using carefully painted shapes, and the oil based paint with a high lead content upon the porous texture of bricks created a long lasted image of type that has proven to survive decades, even after the covering of further layers of paint. These signs have become a key part of Shrewsbury’s history due to the representation and historical relations to the industrial businesses that were presented around the 1800s. Therefore, upon the aim in representing the historical meaning and nostalgia, The Hop & Friar have tried to recreate this in a modern context. The simple colour and prominent drop shadow highlight the pub name and add a three-dimensional context to the two-dimensional typography technique. Upon my further study of Shrewsbury, I expect to see more examples of this lettering and format of type within the town centre.

Location

St Julian’s Friars, Shrewsbury, UK