Thursday, May 19, 2011

Ghost Sign Gone

Neon expert Thomas Rinaldi brings news that the Necchi Sewing Machine ghost sign has vanished from 25th Street and 7th Avenue.


photo: Walter Grutchfield's 14 to 42

It stood high above Chelsea since 1951, the words "world's finest" and the image of a sewing machine fading over the years. (See also Frank Jump's close-up shot.)

The excellent site 14 to 42 has a little bit of info about it and the Necchi company, with a link to this original layout of the sign by the Mack Sign Company:



What is on the wall now? Mr. Rinaldi snapped this shot of an ad for Amstel Light. Will it still be here, a faded and ghostly reminder of a lost city, 60 years from now?

at

5 comments:

  1. Ken MacMay 19, 2011 at 10:47 AM

    Chelsea is full of ghost signs, but not many that large or glorious

    ReplyDelete
  2. Laura Goggin PhotographyMay 19, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Is the ad just covering the sign or has it been painted over it?

    Oh, and not related, but I thought of you when I read this:
    http://gothamist.com/2011/05/18/vlasic_farmers_garden_pickles_aim_t.php

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jeremiah MossMay 19, 2011 at 2:19 PM

    they're painting it over. so that's that.

    and i love those pickles. let the mainstreaming of hip foodie Brooklyn begin.

    ReplyDelete
  4. laura rubinMay 22, 2011 at 11:46 PM

    re: necchi 'sewing machine" sign i have a beautiful b/w photo (1992) on my websight, laurarubinphotography.com-go to the you tube video. (around 3 minutes, after wall street). sorry i do not know how to send this to you! maybe i will try to do an attachment from my you tube channel.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Sam RobertsMay 23, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    Ghostsigns from the UK here

    ReplyDelete

Comments will no longer be published. Too much spam, not enough time. Thank you.

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.