Ephemeral reader Steven O. recently sent me a photo of ghostly signage above a storefront at 180 Ninth Avenue.
Fika, the Swedish coffee chain, had occupied the spot and then moved—leaving behind the faded lettering of what appears to be a 19th century store advertising oils, glass, varnish, and other supplies possibly sold by a ship chandler.
The lettering reminded me of the faded outline of the old sign for Utah House, a hotel from the 1850s at Eighth Avenue and 25th Street—which came back into view briefly in 2013 during a building renovation.
Intrigued that the Ninth Avenue sign could also be from the 1850s, I visited the storefront, which is in a red-brick tenement building . . . only to see the lettering covered by black boards.
A little research looking into this address during the 19th century didn’t turn up any store that sounded like they would be selling these items. A poultry dealer, a fruit stand, and possibly a merchant selling corn salve all occupied the site.
But whatever business this was, what a shame that a remnant of New York history is once again out of view.
The Facebook group Ghost Signs has more on this and other old signage in New York and other locations.
[Photo credit: Simone Weissman]
Tags: 180 Ninth Avenue, Chelsea Ghost Sign, faded signs NYC, Ghost Signs NYC, Glass, Ninth Avenue 19th century, Oils, Old Signs NYC, old store signs in New York City, Varnish Sign Chelsea
September 25, 2017 at 1:53 pm |
Matthew J. Kuhnert
March 11, 2015 at 10:59 AM
“Several editions of Trow’s New York Directory for the 1870s and 1880s list Levi L. Livingston’s paint business at 180 Ninth Avenue. According to his obituary in the New York Times (February 28, 1882, page 7), he helped to organize the Association of Master Painters and was well regarded as a decorative painter. In his later years, Livingston had lucrative contracts to provide painting services for companies that operated steamships and elevated railroads in the city.”
Posted at http://vanishingnewyork.blogspot.com/2015/03/under-doros.html?showComment=1426085975794&m=1#c8148874355006811223
September 25, 2017 at 2:30 pm |
Livingston & Jones
House, Sign and Decorative Painters
No. 180 Ninth-Avenue
Cor. Twenty-first Street, New York
Dealers in Paints, Oils, Glass, Varnish, etc. Public and Private Buildings Painted, Papered and Decorated with Artistic Taste and Dispatch.
John Jones residing at 403 w 21
Levi L Livingston
Gouldings Business Directory of New York 1873-1877
September 25, 2017 at 2:41 pm |
The description matches the signage exactly (“Paints, Oils, Glass, Varnish, etc.”). Nice!
September 25, 2017 at 2:31 pm |
Beat me to it.
September 25, 2017 at 2:46 pm |
Thank you both for your research! If only we could peel back more of these 19th century signs.
September 25, 2017 at 10:29 pm |
Love this post.
The old gold lettered handpainted signage was so subtle & beautiful. I wish more people would bring it back.
September 26, 2017 at 4:20 am |
Thanks for the credit.
September 26, 2017 at 2:56 pm |
Thank you for posting the photo!
September 26, 2017 at 4:51 am |
If you are interested in NY Ghost Signs check out Ghostsignsofnewyork on Instagram. There are over 200 ghost signs pictured there.
September 26, 2017 at 2:56 pm |
Thanks Mark!
September 27, 2017 at 10:55 am |
Hhttp://daytoninmanhattan.blogspot.com/
Answers for you!
September 27, 2017 at 7:27 pm |
Of course Daytonian. Should have checked the NYC History community before running off reinventing the wheel
September 27, 2017 at 7:35 pm |
Daytonian says this was once a less-than-reputable bar and poolroom. If I opened a bar there I’d just keep the name Isaac L Livingston’s Paints and Varnishes and leave the sign uncovered,
September 27, 2017 at 7:47 pm |
Lol. That would be a great name for a bar.