Some assume that ubiquitous advertising is a modern phenomenon, but looking at old photographs, it's now far more restrained than it once was. Many Victorian towns were smothered in all sorts of adverts, painted on walls, enamelled on metal and, of course, normal paper posters.
The painted and enamel versions tended to hang around too. Many buildings still show the marks of vintage adverts slowly peeling away, now called 'ghost signs'. So attractive are these old brands, that the paintwork is often restored to look as good
