Over the weekend, I took some pictures of several “ghost signs” in downtown Albany.
Normally, this wouldn’t be such a big deal. I’ve photographed these signs before. Heck, I’ve even published an art book with these images.
Except this time, I’m photographing these artworks for a different reason.
These are going to be the “before” images, to which the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District will update as part of their annual “Sculpture in the Streets” program. This year, the Downtown Albany BID will have these ghost signs either updated or restored, bringing back an era where these old brickads were as much a part of the architecture and design of the cityscape.
Now I understand that this project has invoked some controversy. My buddy Samson Contompasis, the artist who operates the Marketplace Gallery, wrote an excellent piece for All Over Albany on his feelings why the signs should not be restored, and in fact should remain in their current state. Personally, I’d rather have these signs restored, than see them get tagged by graffiti artists or, in the extreme case, disappear when the building on which they are painted is razed.
So I took some pictures of the signage as they existed over the weekend.
They include this old Times Union advertisement at the intersection of North Pearl and Steuben.
And this ad for Sherry’s clothiers on North Pearl street.
Then there are the three ghost signs along Lydius Street, behind Broadway. Start with the old Meginnis Electric store.
Next door to that is John Eagan’s blacksmith building.
And then there’s the building that once held R.B. Wing’s supply store.
There’s a sign on Madison Avenue, this one apparently was part of an apartment complex that offered rooms to let.
And finally, this ghost sign on State Street.
Oh wait… there wasn’t a sign there in the first place… that one is going to receive a new sign of some sort. Don’t know what sign will go there yet…
So as this project continues, I’ll try to chronicle all the updates, all the touch-ups, and the final results. And we’ll see how things go.
Chuck The Writer 
I am in favor of leaving them alone. But I am also in favor of having them recorded for posterity in photographs.
Have you ever seen the one on the main drag in Fort Edward? I think it advertises Mail Pouch Chewing Tobacco. It is in suprisingly good condition, which makes me wonder if it had been “restored” in the past.
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Bill W –
I haven’t seen that one yet, but I do know that Mail Pouch used to have someone come back and re-paint and re-touch their ads every few years or so. Harley Warrick was apparently one of their most proficient painters.
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I LOVE these signs. There are a couple, at least on Broadway in Schenectady.
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So out of all of these, all of the businesses are now defunct except for the Times Union. Did anyone consult them, or ask them for a donation?
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It’s interesting to see this trend towards entire districts/towns repainting ghostsigns en masse. I’ve previously only been aware of projects focused on individual signs but now there are more and more wider efforts than this. For some other thoughts on the whole idea of repainting ghostsigns have a look at this short article I wrote back in 2011: http://www.ghostsigns.co.uk/2011/05/fresh-lick-of-paint-2.html
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The Frear Building in Troy stll has one…. been working down here for 14 years and just noticed it the other day! Yes, I should look up when I am walking.
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There is a faded sign on a brick building on Central Ave. right near Kohl’s. I think it’s a car dealership… I’m not sure. But on the back of the building is a ghost sign. I notice it every time I pull out of the Kohl’s parking lot onto Central Ave, look to your left and up, you should see it.
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Did you ever take a pic of the ones in Green Island?
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I might do that this weekend!
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It saddens me deeply that these wonderful relics of the past will be “restored.” Please don’t let this trend extend northwards to Troy and Cohoes.
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The building on Madison Ave was never an “Apartment Complex” – it was the Italian Building and home to the Sons of Italy fraternal society. As the neighborhood changed the society moved on, but as late as the 1980’s the Lion of Italy was still in place over the entrance. Lately it has been used by a lodge of Prince Hall Freemasons, but I see For Sale signs on the building.
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