The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day
The History of Signboards, first published in 1866 by Jacob Larwood and John Camden Hotten, is an antiquarian survey of the painted signs that once hung over every inn, shop and tavern in England. Starting with Pompeii and medieval London, the authors explain how pictures served a population that could not read, and then sort thousands of examples by theme: heraldic beasts and royal badges, saints and historical figures, trades and tools, animals, birds, trees and the puns and combinations that produced names like the Goat and Compasses or the Bag o' Nails. They also collect the rhymes painted beneath the signs and the stories told about them. The book is a social history of street life disguised as a catalog. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day
The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day by Jacob Larwood can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day online?
Yes. The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day in the public domain?
Yes. The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day by Jacob Larwood is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day?
About 15 h 45 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day?
The History of Signboards, from the Earliest times to the Present Day by Jacob Larwood is filed under "History" in the Vinteuil library.
