Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Thematic Photographic - Signs

For the next week, Carmi's Thematic Photographic will be exploring the theme of SIGNS:

These bronze letters are laid in the pavement at the exit to a parking garage in downtown Los Angeles. Cars on the ramp to the street encounter them before approaching the sidewalk.

The building, at 610 S. Broadway, today houses a large jewelry dealership at street level. The garage entrance is on 6th Street west of Broadway, on the north side of in a magnificent 12 story office building built in 1908 by Walter P. Story. The Story building was one of the first modern skyscrapers in downtown Los Angeles, and considered one of the most beautiful, with its elaborately decorated terra-cotta facade.

Walter P. Story was the son of an early Los Angeles tycoon, and the parcel was given to him as a gift from his father at the age of 14. Walter became a Los Angeles financier and with the coming of World War I, he enlisted in the military. He eventually achieved the rank of Major General, received multiple citations and medals, and finally retired in 1942.

He and his wife lived in the penthouse atop the building, when they were not at their country estate.

I don't know when the parking garage would have been built, or when these bronze letters were inset in the ramps, but they are the finest looking parking garage signs I've ever seen. Don't you wish there were more words, so we could see what the other letters of the alphabet look like?

This sign marks the parking ramp entrance, with a gentle Art Deco reminder to mellow out.

13 comments:

Lin said...

Those are neat signs, and probably ignored by most people walking by. What a shame. I love the art deco style! Thanks for stopping by my pictures!

shrink on the couch said...

These bronze inlays are signs I would probably drive right over and never see. I love how you take photos of things easily overlooked and bring out their extraordinary features.

mo.stoneskin said...

I'm with the other two, I would have walked or driven right by!

Pamela said...

not even worn off ??? must have been made well. nothing like that much anymore!

Anonymous said...

We all need to slow down and stop to look around. I'm so glad that you do this and share it with us!

Tristan Robin said...

beautiful! I hope I'm not one of those who walk/drive by without noticing - but, sigh, I probably am.

thanks for taking the time for me!

Mamie said...

The lost art of making instructions beautiful as well as functional - great choice for the theme because it is also a sign of times gone by.

cactus petunia said...

Those are beautiful! I love beautifully executed signs and lettering. It's a miracle they haven't worn away.

Thanks for documenting them!

NJ said...

Those are indeed fine signs...they look like gold!

amanda guthrie said...

I like the art deco style as well, you gave us a great example for "signs" this week!

bobbie said...

Super signs! I've never seen anything like that,.

Heather said...

I really like these!

Unknown said...

Wow. They are beautiful! I would love to see more words in that type set! I think that would be fantastic!