The illustration below comes from the pages of a 1930s road atlas supplied by the Co-operation Wholesale Society, showing some of the new signs. Included is the Belisha Beacon, introduced by Leslie Hore-Belisha, who became Minister for Transport in 1934. A further review of road signs took place in the 1960s, chaired by Sir Walter Worboys, resulting in a new generation of signs suitable for the motorway age. Although the old ones have been largely swept away, some still survive, particularly those giving local directions. These seem to be generally known as 'pre-Worboys'. The lower picture is of an old ring-top directional sign in the Lincolnshire village of Syston, taken in March 1991.
These are great, Kevin. I remember an old highway code book from my childhood...seeing these old signs brings a happy glow of nostalgia. What a collection of literature you must have...I'm surprised you have room for a scanner :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Ian; yes it is amazing how much stuff one accumulates (as my wife will testify!), although now we have this new-fangled internet thingy, I can at least share/inflict their dubious content with others. A friend in Suffolk is having a clear-out and has just sent me a bundle of stuff, including some Rafael Kerchner 'saucy French postcards' from the 1890s........ I feel a new posting coming on! By the way, I am enjoying the art in your 'Teigl's Tumbler'.
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