Once upon a time, it seemed that all you needed to advertise your business was a prominently visible brick wall, a generous amount of paint, and a talented sign painter.  Throughout the area, these painted wall advertisements provided a great variety of different products to those who observed them, from local cleaners and retailers to even nationally advertised products.  In time, however, the use of painted wall advertisements diminished, as cheaper methods of outdoor advertisements, such as billboards became more prevalent.
Despite the decades that have passed since this form of advertising was popular, a number of these ads have largely resisted the fading effects of time to persevere and remain highly visible,  despite the fact that most of the products and businesses they advertise are no longer in business.  Here is a look at some painted walls, both large and small that can be spotted within the Baltimore area:

DUE TO THE EVER INCREASING VOLUME OF THESE SIGNS SPOTTED, I'VE SEPARATED THE SIGNS GEOGRAPHICALLY TO LEAD TO SHORTER PAGES AND LOADING TIME AS WELL AS BETTER PRESENTATION.  THE AREA IS DIVIDED INTO 5 ROUGH DISTRICTS.  CHOOSE ANY AREA FROM THE LISTING BELOW:

Division Street is home to this great ad for Cubanola Cigars, Quaker Oats, and the THE TURF BEER?  Definitely a way busy sign.  Photo courtesy of Thomas Paul.	MADE IN BALTIMORE proudly proclaims this ad for CATON Cigars that have "never been downed." Visible when looking South on Curtis Avenue near Olmstead.
It wouldn't be Baltimore without a Bromo Seltzer ad!  Though this is the only known one, the ad to aid the cranially challenged is is pretty decent shape, and can be seen on Franklintown Road near Harlem Avenue.	Another familair Baltimore Staple is Holsum Bread, which has since been acquired by Schmidts.  The smell of fresh bread still permeates the air at Edmondson and Poplar Grove, from whence this sign is plainly visible.
When travelling East on Belvedere near Cordelia, one may notice something trying to peek out from behind this modern billboard.	Indeed it is, an old ad for Hendler's Ice Cream, "the velvety kind!"
Who says Formstone is not good for anything?  It helped to protect this old K&L Gin ad for severla decades before it was charitably exposed once again in 2002.  Ad is easily visible at Hanover and Ostend Streets.	Carey and Herkimer is the site of this Maryland Biscuit ad that is well concealed when the small tree near it is in full bloom.
Fulton Avenue just below North is allows a quick glimpse of this old Coca Cola Ad that is really not that prominently visible.	This southward facing ad on Gilmor Street above Baltimore does better at being visible, but has faded from years of sun exposure.
Peeking out on the scene at Baker and Calhoun Streets is this Bull Durham Ad on a now abandoned building.	Another Bull Durham can be found on Lombard Street West of Monroe, but is obscured by vegetation such as Ailanthus trees in the warmer months.
On Riggs Avenue and McKean lies this IN YOUR FACE Bull Durham ad, which can not be overlooked.	Once thought in jeopardy due to the abandonment of the property, this old Bull Durham ad has hung on thanks to a refurbishment of the building.  Thanks to Wayne Schumberg for this lead.
Remember S&H Green Stamps?  This sign on Pennsylvania Avenue below Cumberland Street may help to jog your memory!	It takes some trying to decipher this one, but Kevn Walsh of Forgotten-NY.com was nice enough to solve this mysterious ad on Pennsylvania Avenue below Baker for me.  It promotes the medicine known as SYRUP OF FIGS from the 1890's. Sounds yummy! ;(
Though faded from years of exposure to the sun, this ground level BETH-O-LINE sign on Lafayette East of Bentalou still retains a great deal of its charm.	A cryptic script signature winds up being an ad for Charles H. Fletcher's Castoria.  Though partially concealed, and badly faded, this ad can be deciphered on Fremont Avenue above Harlem.
Squint if you have to, but one can make out this ad for the Walbrook Theatre, and its air-conditioned comfort, on North Avenue east of Bloomingdale.  The movie palace is now a church.	Looking out over the 6 way intersection of Bloomingdale Road, Westwood Avenue, and Rosedale Street is this wall side ad for the Walbrook Vienna Bakery.
Visible to riders of the #23 bus, and photographed by the driver, is this old painted lettering for a former manufacturer of carriages on Saratoga Street and Carrollton Avenue.	With little contrast to make it out, this ad at Monroe and Presstman appears to be for travel on the B&O Railroad.
Adjacent to the site of the former West Baltimore Street Streetcar and Bus Loop is this ad for the LOOP INN.  It is accompanied by a National (not Bohemian) Beer Ad.	Local paint manufacturers such as Davis Paint would seem only fitting to have painted ads.  This, of course, begged the question - Was this painted using Davis Paints?
The star of the American Road is not too bright as seen here at Frederick and Pulaski.  No matter, for there is no station here anymore.	A few more recent ads can be spotted about town, but which carry a more modern, machined look to them.  This one is at Warwick and Baltimore.
Oh why, oh why?!?  This lovely Coal Ad was covered and painted in 2002 with a creative, but not nearly as impressive ad for a microbrew.  It stood for years at Hanover and Wells Street.	Another staple of the area for years, this Bull Durham ad, complete with cow, was visible heading South on Pulaksi at Pratt Street.  The dwelling has since been demolished around 2002.
I got this one just in time.  Situated on Calhoun Street below Riggs, this ad for Rice's Bread and others has vanished with the house demolished in the Spring of 2004 for furthering work in the Sandtown area.

MORE ON THE WESTSIDE?  CONTACT ME!