Up your street – bid for a London road sign at auction
12 February 2021 Westminster City Council is upgrading its portfolio of enamel street signs and is selling off more than 200 examples at auction.The signs were created by architect and designer Sir Misha Black (1910-77) in 1967. The familiar black and red sans serif lettering is under copyright, meaning they cannot be reproduced without permission from the council.
The 275 examples are being offered at Catherine Southon's timed online sale Iconic London Street Signs running from February 17-March 3.
Here is a selection from the sale.
The Abbey Road NW8 sign (pictured above) is now famous for the 1969 album cover by The Beatles and home of the Abbey Road Studios. It is estimated at £1000-2000.
Two places familiar to the antiques trade are on offer: Pimlico Road SW1 and Westbourne Park Road W2 (both with a £100-200 estimate).
Many of the roads around the Duke of Westminster's Grosvenor Estate in Belgravia have the name Eaton - from Eaton Hall in Cheshire, the seat of the Duke of Westminster.
The area was developed in the early 19th century and signs available at auction are for Eaton Place, Eaton Terrace and Eaton Mews North all estimated at £80-120 each.