I. Golden, Sheepshead’s Original Graffiti Man

It may be a little cliche to point it out, but there’s history all around us. Some of it’s visible, and some of it’s lurking behind the many obstacles we put up in our rush to modernity.

This, of course, is nothing new. The advertisement above, photographed by Lisanne Anderson and recently featured on Fading Ad Blog, was itself covered by another ad in the 1930s. Both the one above and the 1930s version were for I. Golden, a pawnbroker dating back to 1917, says Anderson. In the 1960s, no one had any idea the one you see above existed. In the 1970s, this one exposed itself as the obstructing ad faded. Now, miraculously, only the original ad exists.

The ad says, “LOANS – On diamonds, jewelry, clothing, etc. – I. Golden.” You can see it for yourself on East 15th Street and the corner of Gravesend Neck Road.

Also, be sure to check out the very cool Fading Ad Blog for more reminders of our historical obsession with consumerism.