London Transport Special Bus Signs
These rare printed paper signs were pasted onto a board which was slotted into a holder sited just in front of the front passenger window of buses, usually the iconic 'half-cabs' like R.T's and Routemasters, and sometimes the single-deck RF's. These were used when a special event meant more buses had to be laid on. As you can see they're delightful when framed and will never fail to evoke fond memories and conversation. Most are dated and are at least 30 years old, some go back to the 1960's. Whenever I see the Battersea Park sign I always remember my old Dad taking me on the motor boats there when I was a kid! If you used to go there the YouTube clip at the bottom of this page is well worth a look!
I couldn't hope to picture all of the Special Bus signs so here's the list. These are in 2 sizes, 25 x 7.5" and 25 x 3.75" approx. Examples are pictured. From £49 each inc P&P.
* To and from Antique Dealers Fair
* To and from Arsenal Football Ground
* To and from Baker Street for Madame Tussaud’s and the Planetarium
* To and from Bond Street
* To and from Chessington Zoo
* To and from Commonwealth Institute Kensington High Street
* To and from Croydon Shopping Centres
* To and from Cutty Sark & Gipsy Moth IV Greenwich Pier
* To and from Earl’s Court Exhibition
* To and from Fairfield Halls Croydon (2 different print dates)
* To and from Farnborough Hospital
* To and from Fulham Football Ground
* To and from Greenwich Park
* To and from Grosvenor House for the Antiques Fair
* To and from Hampton Court Palace
* To and from Harringay Stadium
* To and from Heathrow Airport
* To and from Horniman Museum
* To and from Houses of Parliament
* To and from Imperial War Museum
* To and from Kensington High Street
* To and from Kensington Town Hall for Kensington Antiques Fair
* To and from Kew Gardens
* To and from Lewisham Concert Hall, Catford
* Near Manchester Square for the Wallace Collection
* Near Millwall Football Ground
* Near The Easter Parade Battersea Park Sunday Afternoon at 1500
* To and from National Gallery
* To and from National Maritime Museum Greenwich
* Near Northwick Park Hospital Alight at Watford Road Railway Bridge
* Near Olympia
* To and from Olympia
* To and from Orient Football Ground
* To and from Oxford Street
* To and from Oxford Street Laser Display
* Near Post Office Tower
* To and from Regent Street
* To and from Richmond Park
* To and from Royal Albert Hall
* To and from Royal Festival Hall
* To and from Saddlers Wells Theatre
* To and from Southwark Cathedral and The Monument
* To and from St Paul’s
* Near Symon’s Wharf, Tooley Street for HMS Belfast (Museum Ship)
* Near Tate Gallery Alight at Millbank
* To and from Tate Gallery
* To and from The Circus Clapham Common (3 different)
* To and from The Circus Finsbury Park
* To and from The Horse Guards
* To and from The Museums
* To and from The National Portrait Gallery
* To and from The National Theatre
* To and from The National Theatre and South Bank Arts Centre
* To and from The Oval
* To and from The Royal Academy for the Chinese Exhibition
* To and from The Zoo
* To and from Tottenham Hotspur Football Ground
* To and from Trafalgar Square
* To and from Wellington Museum
* To and from Wembley Pool & Stadium (2 versions)
* To and from West Ham Football Ground
* To and from Westminster Abbey
* To and from Whipps Cross Lido
* To and from White City
* Near Battersea Park for Festival Gardens
* Near Brentford Football Ground
* To and from Chiswick House
* Near Crystal Palace Football Ground
* Near Earl's Court Exhibition
* To and from Geffrye Museum
* To and from Hampstead Heath
* To and from Horse Guard's Parade
* Near Millwall Football Ground
* To and from Piccadilly
* To and from Regent's Park
* Near Tower of London
* To and from The Boat Race (dark blue on light blue)
* When Hammersmith Bridge is closed please walk across the bridge (white on blue)
* Via St. Thomas' Hospital (white on black)
* To and from The Circus Clapham Common (green on white & black on yellow)
2 sizes, 25 x 7.5” & 25 x 3.75”. From £49 each inclusive of worldwide delivery.
When these are gone they’re gone, only a few left of each. Professional framing service available.
“All arrived, safe and sound. As I said, I am new to all of this kind of thing in lots of ways - but your packaging is inspired! Very clever re-cycling and the contents are not bad either... Fantastic customer service too. I shall have to recommend you to all and sundry. I may be back again soon for more stuff”. Thanks again and take care. H. 08
These were the very boats my Dad used to take me on.
I never saw Sid James, though, and look, ‘Elsie Tanner’, ‘Len Fairclough’, Harry Fowler and many more household names of the day. And could that be Russ Conway or Mrs Mills playing the piano?
