SIGNWRITING, buildings & other photographs by John Hunter, Melbourne Australia

1. "Signs Of The Times"

A wish to document for future generations the skill and art of generations of signwriters resulted in this collection. I wanted to record the craft of signwriters and commercial artists who who used font, colour, shape, space, a keen eye for proportion and a steady hand to advertise goods and services long before television arrived.

The collection only happened with the encouragement of my partner to record the vanishing paint-ups I complained would be lost to the elements and the developer's hammer.

With the discovery of Jalbum I am able at last to make my collection, 'Signs of the Times' available to people everywhere. The oldest sign photographed is for a company which ceased operation in eighteen ninety-three (1893).

Where a sign is still intact its location is generally given by suburb or town only to help protect it from vandalism.

If you see signs for me to photograph, please email me. I would welcome your emailing jpeg files of signwriting for consideration. I will credit you unless you wish to remain anonymous.

I began photographing signs in 1979 and continue to do so. This project combines for me a love of photography and a sense of social-historical purpose. I hope you enjoy it.

John Hunter, Melbourne Australia