Among the largest and most visible of the
area's painted walls is this one for the Applefeld Clothing Company, located
in the 300 block of West Baltimore Street. This one is very likely
an endangered species as the looming Hippodrome redevelopment will likely
result in the razing of this buiding.
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Although not as vivid as the Applefeld sign,
this advertisement for PICADILLY SHIRT retains an impressive appearance,
despite its muting from an overlay of two ads. The bottom aspect of
the ad reveals "Belding's Silk" and "Stands a Bulldog Strain" within the
copy.
*NOTE- THIS AD IS NOW LARGELY HIDDEN BY THE CENTERPOINT DEVELOPMENT*
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Rarely do they get as colorful as this advertisement
for Adam's Pepsin Gum. There are two versions of the ad superimposed
on each other, though it still is reasonably easy to make out. This
gem stands at Lexington and Arch Streets.
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It takes some squinting to make out, but this old at Eutaw
and George Streets is for none other than Quaker Oats, one of the few old
ad products still readily available!
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With elements of the modern and vintage city skyline in the backdrop, this
painted wall for the Baltimore Bargain House is easily visible from the corner
Baltimore and Eutaw Streets looking Eastward.
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On occasion, successive ads are both largely readable. This one on
the 300 block of West Redwood Street features an ad for the SHOPPERS PARKING
CENTER garage with an underlying ad of what appears to be "Wannamaker's Clothing
Outlet Store," located at what would now be the Mercantile Bank Tower.
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Another neat ad in the Downtown area is the remnant
of this one, visible only from the North Side of Lombard Street, East of
Greene, advertising Night Shirts and Pajamas.
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Now that awnings around the University of Maryland's
construction have been removed, more details of this loft apartment can now
be seen, inlcuding this solicitation for applications on South Paca Street
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Still on the other side of the building, more nice details can be found, such as these....
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Just across the street from the above loft lies
this beautiful wall ad for the August Maag Company, easily visible to motorists
stopped on Southbound Greene Street at Lombard, or those awaiting the 11
and 31 buses on Lombard Street.
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Concealed again! The Hippodrome Ad for
Matinees was visible before the demolition of the neighboring Eutaw Building,
while the faint VAUDEVILLE ad only then became exposed once again.
Sadly, the construction of a new building for the Hippodrome complex meant
the covering of both ads since these images were snapped in 2002!
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After demolition of the neighboring building, a better view could be had for a short time.
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Note the VAUDE on the left of the figure, and the VILLE on right.
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Despite a crude attempt to conceal the Mano
Swartz name Downtown on Howard at Clay Streets, the furrier's name still
shines through.
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Coward Shoe was still in existence until the early 1990's, and this ad visible
looking South from Howard and Mulberry Streets, still remains to tell of
the store's existence.
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Until recently, two different Sealy Matress ads could be found on Howard
Street. The above example was visible from Howard and Fayette Streets
looking South, and had the added grace of being painted over a classic Meyer
and Thalheimer Stationers sign. It has since been concealed by an aspect
of the Centerpoint project.
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The below one is visible near Howard and Mulberry Streets looking Northbound.
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The Hecht Brothers ran a furniture store
at Howard and Mulberry Streets. This painted sign is still in excellent
shape to mark the spot.
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Just South of the Hecht's sign lies this one for Schuster's Furniture and Bedding.
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One can gather that this painted sign at Saratoga
Street and Park Avenue for Progress Federal predates the Savings and Loan
crisis of the early 1980's.
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It takes a good angle to see it, but to the astute
pedestrian on Howard Street below Fayette looking Northwest, this Bernheimer's
Big Home Stores is a sure winner!
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Two separate applications of the MAY CO name
are evident on this enhanced photo of the old Hecht Company Building.
The result today has the appearance of saying "M A A Y"
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Is it a Lunch Room or a Restaurant? Kruger's
lovely building on Howard Street below Fayette Street features two applications
as well.
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Even younger Baltimoreans can remember the Epsteins chain
that resided in the Brager Gutman Store at Park and Lexington. Their
painted ad even included a very well rendered Novalux lamp head!
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Immediately across the street, a hint of the SS Kresge sign can still be made out on their fancy building!
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A typical old time
painted ad can be found looking South at Paca and Franklin Street, where
this particularly immaculate speimen survives.
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This Shoe manufacturer's ad is only visible along a short potion of Redwood
Street between Eutaw and Paca Streets. It reads "?????? & Son"
and also carries the place "BALTIMORE!"
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While the "TOTTLES - 5¢ - 10¢ -
STORE" is the most pronounced of the ads in this view of the East side of
Eutaw Street below Lexington, a Murphy's ad and a home furnishing ad are
also visible within the same ad.
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The building may be burnt out, but the ad for
Simon's remains at least partially legible. Ad is on the North side
of Clay Street (bet. Saratoga and Lexington) West of Liberty Street.
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Among the most recent painted wall ghosts is
this one that towers above the West side of Liberty Street above Lexington.
The Luskins chain is no longer in business, and "carphones" like the one
shown have not been offered for several years.
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Ladies are welcome at Hanratty's Restaurant , if only one can still
find it. This ad on Eutaw Street near Franklin appears to have
had multiple applications in its lifetime.
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