"We Are Not Superstitious, But We Believe in Signs"
The Gawthorp sign firm in Leeds were renowned in the trade at the turn of the twentieth century.
Three years ago, I shared the picture above in a newsletter, but only recently picked up the loose threads from my research into the Gawthorp sign company. I share the following post in the hope that more might be uncovered about what appears to have been quite an influential firm during its 27 years of operation.
I first stumbled across the Gawthorp business while researching T.L. Hamlyn for the 'Ye Olde Sign Shoppe' column in BLAG 02. This involved poring over the pages of the Journal of Decorative Art at the British Library, and the many detours this took me on. One of these involved a couple of mentions of the Gawthorp sign firm in Leeds, including their slogan 'We Believe in Signs' that I'm sure you'll agree is as relevant today as it was 120 years ago!
Founder, Albert Hallas Gawthorp
The Gawthorp firm was established in 1889 by Albert Hallas Gawthorp. Gawthorp was a man of many talents and interests, and it was his role as an amateur actor, rather than his business in signs, that dominated his obituaries in 1909. That, and his charitable endeavours, which continued in his name with the establishment of a memorial fund.
Gawthorp was about 23 years old when he set up shop, which, in 1899, was based on Cookridge Street in the centre of Leeds, Yorkshire.
St George's Sign Works
By 1905, the firm had moved to a larger facility, which was located at at 30 Great George Street, and patriotically dubbed 'St George's Sign Works'. This was just a short walk from the firm's previous premises and, as evidence of Gawthorp's belief in signs, he used the building to advertise his own business. This included a large chimney with the company name painted in white letters descending vertically down its length.
Two views of 'St George's Sign Works' from 1913 and 1914. Photos © Leeds Libraries, via Leodis (9800 and 20021016_89109439).
In addition to being signwriters and wood letter makers, the firm could also count enamel signs within its repetoire.