New Ghost sign on Hornsey High Street

Thanks to Christina Davis for sending in a picture of a ghost sign snapped on Hornsey High Street yesterday. 

It shows the newsagent on the north side of Hornsey High Street next to Mary Louise dry cleaners. The sign is for A, Hester Tobacconist and Cigar Seller.

Arthur Hester was a born in Cookham Berkshire in 1867. His father was a thatcher. Arthur and his wife Susannah arrived in Hornsey with their 7-year-old son Norman in 1907/08 and set up shop at number 5 with their home in the flat above. I assume that the sign uncovered yesterday is from that time.

Kelly's Directory in 1908

Arthur ran the shop with the help of his family until shortly before his death in 1926/7 at which point Norman took over. The shop was renamed for Norman Hester in the mid Thirties and amazingly, it continued to run as Hester's until just ten years ago. At which point identity-free sponsored signage took over.

 Hesters from Google Street View June 2014