Ghost Signs
Clues to Downtown New York's Past
Winner, Independent Publishers Book Awards
"Ghost signs remind us of long-gone times, reminding us all that this (our time) too shall pass. In capturing and preserving these images, Frank Mastropolo has created an invaluable documentation of New York's history before it (literally) fades away. A must-buy for any history buff!"
— Kevin Jennings, President, Lower East Side Tenement Museum
S. Beckenstein, 130 Orchard Street © Frank Mastropolo
"Mastropolo treats his oft-forgotten subjects with wonder and respect. This book is a charming tribute to New York's built fabric, and one that nurtures the deeply human story at the heart of all our city's historic streets." — Chelsea Dowell, Director of Public Engagement, Museum at Eldridge Street
McGovern's Bar, 305 Spring Street © Frank Mastropolo
"Ghost Signs feeds the yearning all New Yorkers share to leave our mark on this ever-changing metropolis, a shout to the future that we were here. If you've ever squinted up at a fading message from the past, pick up this book. Frank Mastropolo has solved their mysteries for us."
— Dean Karayanis, The History Author Show, iHeart Radio
Ghost Signs 2
Clues to Uptown New York's Past
“Frank Mastropolo gives us a glimpse into New York City’s past by introducing us to a town many of us didn’t know existed. You’ll never be able to walk down the street again without keeping your eyes peeled for ghost signs!” — Dana Arschin, Reporter, Fox 5 News, New York
Horn & Hardart Automat, 146 West 38th Street © Frank Mastropolo
"Frank Mastropolo takes us on a delightful journey through New York City’s past by exploring the vestigial signs of bygone businesses. His photographs and commentary rescue the stories of once-thriving enterprises from obscurity while reminding us that layers of history lurk behind facades and under our feet, awaiting our discovery." — Margi Hofer, Museum Director, The New York Historical
Omega Oil, 287 West 147th Street © Frank Mastropolo
The Ghost Signs series is published by Schiffer Books