Sign up for street sign auction and grab yourself a ‘unique’ address

 

FROM a pelican crossing given global fame by the Beatles to the home of Britain’s political leader, small squares of Westminster’s history are up for grabs to the highest bidder this month.

Street signs are to go on sale at an auction house in Sussex with the 2ft steel signs expected to sell for £1,500 each, with proceeds being recycled into council coffers.
The signs feature the distinctive typeface that is the sole property of Westminster Council who brought the copyright licence for the lettering in 2007.
Designer Sir Misha Black created the enamel signs in 1967 and they feature at some of the most photographed sites in the capital.
Tom Reece, a life-long Beatles fan from New England, America, came to Abbey Road to replicate the artwork of the Beatle’s 11th studio album, but said he would not be willing to shell out for this piece of Fab Four memorabilia.
He said: “I wouldn’t be interested in paying for the sign but it is a great honour to be here following in the steps of John Lennon.”
Westminster’s director of transportation Martin Low said: “This font … is unique to Westminster’s street signs and is not available anywhere else in the world.
"Other organisations are forbidden by copyright law to reproduce Westminster street signs, which makes them even more highly prized because of their rarity."
Robert Davis, the council's deputy leader, said: “London is home to some of the most famous street signs in the world and buyers now have the chance to acquire a genuine piece of the capital’s history. Over 15 million visitors came to London last year and they were greeted and guided to historic locations by signs like these.”
A sealed-bid auction will take place at Summers Place Auctions on May 23, with a second run in October.

by WILLIAM McLENNAN and TOSIN OLADEJI

Source: http://www.westendextra.com