Evening star., 1899-04-14
QUEER BUSINESS SIGNS.
Odd Announcements Intended I
Catch the Public Eye.


From the New York Tines.
An observer with q sense of humor can
derive considerable amusement by noticing
the many odd signs displayed by dealers to
attract attention to their wares and shops.
Some of these signs are Intentionally funny
and others are unconsciously SO by reason
of their appropriateness.
Probably the latest and most inappropri-
ate sign to be seen in New York is that Of
the "Quo Vads'' res estaurant and chop
house ON an east side street. One man who
noticed it hazardad the opinion that the
"Wo Gehen sic Restaurant would fit bet
ter with that particular neighbOrhood.
The Spanish war Is responsible for new
names Of various places of business, in
which the appellations of noted heroes
shine predominant. Theaters, restaurants.
BARRIERS shops and cafes are named after
Dewey Sampson, Schley and Hobson, and
even Shatter has not been forgotten. The
latest figure in front of a cigar store on
Sd avenue is that of Rough Rider in full
uniform, and the proprietor says that It at
tracts much attention, and has brought
him considerable custom.
On large clothing house in Brooklyn Is
the sign, Dewey Sell Clothes? We Dew"
Not far from this is another sign, in which
a man announces in large letters that he is
shirt constructor
A sign painter in Brooklyn, whose name
is Dubey, has large placard in front of
his place of business which says: Il am not
srpers titious, but 1 Dudley Heve in signs"
In front of another Brooklyn sign painters
is picture of two men conversing with
their fingers, and the inscription: I'VE are
not dumb, hut we make signs
Many persons have had a laugh at a pho
tographer on the west side, who announces
his name and business thus: "Badd, Por-
traits And the photographer has prob
ably had a quiet laugh himself at the at
tention his sign has attracted. a favorte
sign on the east side is a representation Of
q gigantic beer glass with a man climbing
up ladder to get to the top, and the in
scription over it: Our Baby.
Another well-known sign on the east side
is that of a haberdasher who announces
that his place Is the headquarters of the
society for the encouragement of Wear
ing Clean Shirts
peared the sign, Slightly Damaged Cam
embert Chees. at Reduced Price" AS a
Camembert cheese in good health has
very decided odor, it is impossible to say
how damaged one would smell. When q
large building in Brooklyn was recently
condemned by the building inspectors as
unsafe. all the tenants moved out hastily
except one, who hurled defiance with the
sign: First, Last and Only Survivor! We
VIII Not Move Until Driven Out Come in
and Inspect Our Stock" In a short time
he was also compelled to leave, as the
building was further demolished. Then he
put up another sign announcing that he
had at last been driven out, and stating
where his new place of business was
A thoroughly serious sign in Brooklyn
which frequently provokes smile is that
| of the "Coons Decorating Company" An
other sign on large factory building in
New Jersey is that of "The Smith Manu-
| featuring Company" This has given rise
to many jokes, as it Is alleged that this is
| where all the Smiths come from. A novel
sign to be seen in Philadelphia is that in
front OF the hotel run by Arthur Chambs RS,
the retired pugiiist, which says This
House Keeps Arthur Chambers"
The Lady Barbers'' of Brooklyn attract
attention by the novelty Of their sign Not
| far from them is another one over a print
er's who gives his name and business thus:
| kick the Printer