Liam's second Birthday

Liam's 2nd Natal Celebratory Day

I guess the title says it all.............


The Cake......


Steve and Nico

Lucy

Nico

Lucy and Adam

Liam

Eating Cake....

Opening presents.

A tour of Toronto's Harbour

Last Thursday my friends and I boarded the Empress of Canada for a three hour tour of Toronto harbour. It was sponsored by a few bars in "The Village"

I was able to capture some pretty good pictures of the shoreline.....



The yacht club....


The lagoon....


And once the sun set in the west, a really good night shot of the city.

Not bad for a little point & shoot camera, eh?

Ghost Signs in the Printing Industry

Here on Adelaide Street West is a "Ghost Sign" that actually has two advertisements.

The more prominent one is for the Hugh C. MacLean Publications.

The underlying sign is for Gevaert Canada Ltd. 

This company became Agfa-Gevaert Canada in 1995.

Next, we have a five-story building, built in 1909 and located at 19 Duncan Street.

The sign says “Southam Press Toronto”

Just as an aside, the Walrus magazine is located in this building.

Interestingly enough, Southam Ltd. Purchased MacLean Publishing in 1960 to form Southam – MacLean Publishing.

Below is the Blackhall and Company sign on a building at 19 Peter Street.

Ghost Sign on College Street

This photo is from the Toronto Archives.

It is a picture of 370 College Street, and was taken in June 1958.

The building with the Pepsi Cola sign is "Quality Bakery", and the panel truck parked on the street is their delivery vehicle.



Below, is a picture taken recently of the same block of storefronts.

The bakery is gone, and it looks like there are a few computer stores inhabiting the area; as well as some graffiti on the white arch of the building to the west.


A close-up of the side of the building reveals yet another ghost sign.

I can read some of the words:

"Connor's Bakery"......"We Deliver" and there seems to be a head shot of a uniformed person.

It's pretty difficult to see any of the old "Pepsi Cola" sign, as it may have been painted over, at one time.

Ghost Signs on Richmond West

I have been on Richmond Street, west of University, on a number of occasions, but have not been looking up for "Ghost Signs" until recently.

So, I started to capture more painted mural ads on the sides of buildings in this part of town... after all, you never know when they might be replaced with a Condo.

This first one is, of course the "Acme Carbon and Ribbon", on Richmond, just west of John.
Too bad a window has been cut into the side of the word "CARBON".

Below is an advertisement for wholesale woolens and goods is located at 225 Richmond.Note the spelling of "Woollens"....spellcheck says it should be spelled "Woolens".
This Gelber Brothers' sign is in pretty good shape, considering.



Then, across the street (on the north side of Richmond) we can see an old Tip Top Tailor sign.

The advert tells us that "Suits and Coats" can be made to measure.

The building currently houses CHUM, which is owned by CTV, and sits adjacent to their parking lot.

Yet another clothing manufacturer on Richmond Street
This is Milgrom"s Coats and Suits at #372.
The sign says "where quality is created"

Note: you can click on any of the images to enlarge a little.