Twenty-two years after we started this website, there are still secrets to be found. Mandy Gaylard spotted this faded trade sign from a car; it was originally painted high up on the side wall of 861 Woodbridge Road, on the western corner with Jupiter Road. So it was designed to catch the eye of the travellerheading from the east of the town towards the centre down Woodbridge Road.
2025
images
courtesy Mandy Gaylard'EDWARD DECK
DECORATOR'
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Historic Lettering
©2004 Copyright throughout the Ipswich Historic Lettering site: Borin Van Loon
No reproduction of text or images without express written permission
DECORATOR'
The lettering on a white rectangular background, appears to be painted in red – unless
its faded to a brick-red from the original black, perhaps. At first we
thought it was 'Edward Beck', but 'Edward Deck' is in large and small
caps, so 'Decorator' is probably similar,
although the first part of the word is degraded with brickwork showing
through. Luckily the metal support for the television aerial does not
obscure anything.
Some research in the Kelly's directories showed not only that we had the surname wrong, but also that he wasn't in business for long. The first listing for him at 861 Woodbridge Road – and as a 'decorator' – was in 1935. The same entry was in 1939, but from 1941 to 1952, he appears with his name only, suggesting that he may not have been in business after 1940.
Some research in the Kelly's directories showed not only that we had the surname wrong, but also that he wasn't in business for long. The first listing for him at 861 Woodbridge Road – and as a 'decorator' – was in 1935. The same entry was in 1939, but from 1941 to 1952, he appears with his name only, suggesting that he may not have been in business after 1940.
©2004 Copyright throughout the Ipswich Historic Lettering site: Borin Van Loon
No reproduction of text or images without express written permission