Round Signs

Broadway at 25th Street

2012-01-23T15:03:00.001-08:00

Chola Indian Restaurant

2011-08-14T12:30:00.001-07:00

58th street between 2nd and 3rd Aves.

Greetings from Southwold

2011-08-02T11:12:00.000-07:00

Another submission from Ian, who is single-handedly keeping Round Signs afloat with new images! Greetings from this lovely seaside town in Suffolk County, England. Wish I was there! Have a pint for me, Ian!

And the Honorary Mention goes to...

2011-06-28T13:57:00.000-07:00

Sir Raglan. I can't tell if he's wearing raglan sleeves but I would assume he is. This was sent by Ian in the UK. Thanks, Ian.

From,

ever thankful yank in NYC

Thai in the UK

2011-06-28T13:56:00.001-07:00

Globalization at its cuisiniest.

Not technically a Round Sign

2011-06-28T13:53:00.000-07:00

But definitely round art. We love it. Thanks, Ian, for sending this image from London (correct me if it's from elsewhere).

Fresh from the UK

2011-06-28T13:51:00.001-07:00

I think I've posted a Pret image before but it was from the US, here's a UK version. Since Pret-a-Manger originated in the UK (I think), it's only fair to honor them with another sign. Sent by Ian! Thanks, Ian.

2011-05-30T13:35:00.001-07:00

AG in SoHo

They sell premium diesel.

2011-05-30T13:34:00.003-07:00

11th Ave at 47th St.

Hamptons Market

2011-05-30T13:34:00.001-07:00

Queens

2011-04-30T15:17:00.001-07:00

City Cafe? Okay, well, nice sign. On Van Dam St.

Times Square

2011-04-09T13:10:00.001-07:00

9th Ave

2011-04-09T10:58:00.001-07:00

8th Ave & 54th St

2011-04-04T10:34:00.001-07:00

8th Ave

2011-04-04T10:32:00.001-07:00

37 Street, Manhattan

2011-04-04T07:59:00.001-07:00

Trafalgar Street, Norwich, UK

2011-03-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

As devoted readers will no doubt note, this sign isn't precisely the round sign we look for because it isn't two-sided but it's definitely round, definitely outside, and as charming as a sign can get so we're posting it. Many thanks to Ian Goold for the submission!

Ian is a fellow blogger - check out his blogs here and here.

Chinatown Express, Times Square NYC

2011-03-25T08:19:00.001-07:00

Quinton, England

2011-03-21T18:13:00.000-07:00

Thank you Mr. Vaughn for the submission.

2011-03-18T13:32:00.001-07:00

Liars on Water Street

2011-03-18T11:20:00.001-07:00

Fulton Street

2011-03-16T20:52:00.001-07:00

Bread Factory in the financial district. That's funny.

PinkyOtto in Brooklyn

2011-03-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

Maiden Lane, Manhattan

2011-03-07T06:56:00.001-08:00

5th Ave in Park Slope

2011-03-07T06:54:00.000-08:00

Not strictly circular, I know, but still round.

Acupuncture in Brooklyn

2011-02-21T08:06:00.001-08:00

It's a Slice! It's Argentina! No, It's a T-bone Steak!

2010-01-07T18:32:00.000-08:00

This image was graciously submitted by Jim Bowman who narrowly escaped death trying to capture it while driving. We LOVE your dedication to Round Signs - thanks, Jim. (Remember to wear your seat belt and have your airbags checked regularly.)

Jim reports that the sign is located in "the wilds of far East Portland, Oregon."

From an Artland Viewer

2009-12-17T16:36:00.000-08:00

Seattle, WA. How about that dog in the background? Great photo. Thanks, Jim.

Red Mango - West Village

2009-06-18T09:37:00.000-07:00

West Village

2009-06-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

Jewelry Cafe on Lower Broadway, NYC

2009-05-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

Bubba Gump Shrimp

2009-05-09T18:31:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Darlene Monson. Thanks, Darlene!

Not Strictly a Round Sign but...

2009-04-22T16:30:00.000-07:00

It's pretty cool so here we go. This is the sign for my friend Paul's design firm logo. If you need a product designed - or anything designed - contact P9 because they are the best.

Kama in Brooklyn

2009-04-18T23:18:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Gamyra.

The Cyrillic on the bottom of the sign says, "Culinary."

9th Avenue

2009-03-10T17:36:00.000-07:00

Or was it 8th?

Manhattan, NYC

11th Avenue in Manhattan

2009-03-09T21:26:00.000-07:00

Thai Seafood in Manhattan

2009-03-04T06:12:00.000-08:00

This sign is on Houston Street near Sullivan. Submitted by Christopher.

57th Street Baked Goods

2009-03-01T10:55:00.000-08:00

Christopher spotted this from the bus and I jumped up to snap it while we were stopped. Good thing he rushed me to get the window open - the bus had dirty windows! Thanks, Christopher.

24 Hours on 2nd Avenue

2009-02-26T21:09:00.000-08:00

In NYC's East village at East 7th Street and 2nd Avenue. I took a picture of the other side, which was lit better, but it was blurry.

Sustainable NYC

2009-02-16T10:56:00.000-08:00

I found a penny in front of this place on Avenue A across from Tompkins Square Park. I did the green thing and reused it.

Brooklyn, New York

2009-02-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

Near the offices of Energy Hub.

Honourable Mention

2009-02-10T11:40:00.000-08:00

Strictly speaking this sign doesn't qualify because we are looking for circular signs that display front and back but it's on a motorcycle from Isle of Wight so we'll post it.

I'm waiting to here from the person who submitted these two images from the Isle of Wight and, with permission, I will post the submitter's name and a link if available.

Post from the Isle of Wight, UK

2009-02-10T11:17:00.000-08:00

I received two submissions from Mel in the UK today. This one bends the rules because it is not a circle, it's more of an oval shape, but hey, it's from the Isle of Wight so it's cool!

I think I might have to relax the rules a little bit because I firmly believe that round signs (circular, to be precise) are a sign of economic boon. Folks, we're about to square up.

Restoration Hardware 5th Avenue, New York

2009-01-30T16:42:00.001-08:00

Lenny's on 23rd St, New York

2009-01-30T16:41:00.001-08:00

New York, NY

2009-01-11T06:36:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Christopher.

New York, NY

2009-01-10T06:34:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Christopher.

Oslo, Norway

2009-01-09T06:30:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Christopher for this exotic submission. And he says there are more to come!

Times Square, New York

2008-11-08T10:01:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Christopher.

Pizza on 8th Avenue, NYC

2008-11-03T10:16:00.000-08:00

Submitted by Christopher.

Philly's

2008-10-12T20:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks go to Christopher for this submission.

Belgian Fries and Falafel

2008-10-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Christopher.

Nail Terrace

2008-10-02T06:35:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Christopher.

Curry-Ya Restaurant in East Village, NYC

2008-09-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

Orchid Garden Spa in the East Village, NYC

2008-09-27T13:44:00.000-07:00

TGI Fridays

2008-09-24T09:42:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Christopher.

M&M

2008-09-24T09:39:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Christopher.

Burger Joint

2008-09-19T10:53:00.000-07:00

This is the sign that started it all. Years ago I spotted this sign on Park Avenue just north of 23rd Street and I thought it was so cool-looking. And then increasingly more often I would see more small circular signs posted outside of bars, restaurants, and spas until I decided it was a trend that I wanted to document in a blog. Won't this blog be interesting 20 years from now when round signs have passed their prime and are considered passe relics?

Broadway, Queens

2008-09-07T17:36:00.000-07:00

Great blueberry pie-for-one but they don't sell unsweetened iced tea - just Snapple and that other junk. Total bummer.

Avenue B, New York City

2008-08-31T14:44:00.000-07:00

Melbourne - New Category

2008-08-27T20:12:00.001-07:00

Clara Smith submitted this image of a Round Sign advertising a night club. This is a new category. Nice find, Clara.

Melbourne Again

2008-08-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

In this image from Clara Smith we have a Round Sign for a sneaker/fashion brand and a beauty brand

More from Melbourne

2008-08-27T20:09:00.001-07:00

More from Clara in Melbourne.

I wonder if Melbourne Australia is the world's Round Sign capital!?

Virgin Sunset NYC

2008-08-19T19:14:00.000-07:00

This is so close to home it's embarrassing that it took me so long to shoot it. Union Square South, NYC.

At Laguardia Airport

2008-08-18T16:56:00.000-07:00

I think these little circular signs are mighty trendy at the moment and they seem to be concentrated wherever one might expect to find tourists; Boston Harbor, Cardiff Bay - Wales, Provincetown, MA, and Laguardia Airport.

This is also from the airport but I think it's from the Minneapolis/St. Paul airport. Maybe it's at Laguardia.

Freundschaft

2008-08-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

Taken in Zurich by renowned technology reviewer and ace photographer, Thorsten Wulff.

They'll Gladly Pay You Tuesday

2008-08-17T08:50:00.000-07:00

Another submitted by American Clara Smith who has taken up residence in Melbourne.

Cafe in Fitzroy

2008-08-17T08:42:00.000-07:00

Also submitted by Clara Smith, this is a doozy of a Round Sign, complete with complicated supports. Fig is a cafe in Fitzroy - a town that I am guessing is near Melbourne.

Keep 'em coming, Clara.

Sushi in Melbourne

2008-08-17T08:36:00.000-07:00

Another submission from our woman down under, Clara Smith. Ai is a Sushi restaurant in Melbourne. Notice the lack of leaves on the trees. They are just heading into springtime about now.

More From Oz

2008-08-17T08:21:00.000-07:00

These aren't exactly what Round Signs is after but they are interesting and well worth posting.

Clara, who submitted these (and all the others from Australia), wonders if this particular collection of Round Signs, which is located behind Federation Square in Melbourne, is an art installation or an attempt to get people out walking more.

German Marmalade

2008-08-13T18:01:00.000-07:00

This is a round sign but it isn't circular nor is it hanging off of a building so technically, it does not fall within submission guidelines. However, exceptions will be made on a case by case basis and this submission has been accepted after careful review.

This brand of marmalade is found all over the world but few people know that the graphic includes the skyline of Luebeck, Germany - home of Schwartau. Submitted by Thorsten Wulff.

Walkabout

2008-08-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

They sure have well-dressed pedestrians in Australia. If this were in NYC, the walking dude would be wearing sneakers.

As you may have noticed, exceptions are made on a case by case basis as to what constitutes a round sign. For example, they must be circular. Ideally they hang off of buildings but the odd round sign on a stick is a fun change.

Victoria Bitter in Oz

2008-08-09T12:30:00.000-07:00

Clara, our woman down under, won't stop until she finds every round sign in Oz. Depicted here is another round sign for a place to buy refreshments of the liquid variety.

More from Melbourne

2008-08-09T11:42:00.000-07:00

Not only are we looking at Round Signs but there's a cultural exchange as well. Clara writes, "The Hawthorn Club (the two signs) is a pub with pokies (gambling machines)." I think I'll categorize this one as 'beverage,' I'm going to go out on a flyer and guess that they serve booze with the pokies.

More from Melbourne

2008-08-09T05:39:00.000-07:00

This is a sign for a kids clothing store, it sells faerie wings and other first-day-of-school essentials.

They Drink Beer in Australia!

2008-08-06T05:40:00.000-07:00

This little beauty was taken (at night) and submitted by Clara Smith. It is positioned on top of the Bush Inn Hotel in Toorak, Australia. Clara took it on August 6, 2008.

Sadly, her husband thinks she's nuts now because she's always looking for Round Signs. We know you're not nuts Clara and we appreciate your contribution - our first ever from a stranger! I hope you can send more. Who knows, maybe your husband will even spot the next one.

Dry Cleaner, Murray Hill, NYC

2008-08-03T18:15:00.001-07:00

Hair Salon in Luebeck, Germany

2008-07-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Thorsten Wulff.

Murray's Cheese, Bleecker Street, NYC

2008-07-28T08:26:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Chris Trela who, while heart-broken that he wasn't carrying his Lumix, snapped this with his black Palm Centro.

Bicycle Shop in Luebeck, Germany

2008-07-28T06:14:00.000-07:00

Submitted by designer, photographer, and technical reviewer Thosten Wulff.

Can I get an umlaut? Luebeck should have an umlaut over the 'u' and no 'e' next to it. Luebeck, you may be interested to know, was the birth place of marzipan, that tasty almond confection.

Thorsten would have us know that this image was taken with the iPhone. Knowing Thorsten, it was the *latest* iPhone.

Hamburg, Germany

2008-07-27T19:37:00.000-07:00

Submitted by globe-trotter/astronaut-in-training/antarctic-explorer Ken Makoff, here's the latest of his shots from the road. We think it's an eatery/public house. Corrections welcome.

As Ken undergoes testing RIGHT NOW to determine whether he'll make it to the next round of astronaut testing - my best wishes are with him. Send some of your own.

Park Avenue South, New York City

2008-07-25T15:40:00.000-07:00

Great fish plates with two sides for only $8.95. The Cod and Salmon are both fantastic. And the iced tea is recommended as well. Bon Appetit!

St. Petersburg

2008-07-24T11:53:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Ken Mankoff and taken in St. Petersburg, the following posts illustrate the worldwide appeal of circular signs.

Russian Mystery

2008-07-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Ken Mankoff, taken in St. Petersburg. I didn't know what this sign is for. I guessed it was for a bank called Liviz. I got the name right, got the business wrong. I put Liviz into Google and discovered that LIVIZ is a major alcohol producer. Almost like a bank.

What's the "24 hours" part of the sign? I know enough Russian to know that chas/chasa means hours (or time or watch) but what is "24 hours" doing on a booze sign? Or does Liviz have another meaning here?

Russian Eatery

2008-07-24T11:43:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Globe Trotter, Ken Mankoff. This sign is advertising an eatery, I hope.

St. Petersburg

2008-07-24T11:40:00.001-07:00

Submitted by the Globe Trotter himself, Ken Mankoff. This appears to be a bus sign for Globus

Round Cleaners

2008-07-24T06:06:00.000-07:00

Taken by Chris Trela.

Round Soup

2008-07-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

Submitted by Chris Trela, author of Quite All Right. Shot in Manhattan's upper east side.

Shop Ahoy

2008-07-18T15:28:00.001-07:00

Taken on Cape Cod by Chris Trela. Check out more of his excellent images at Quite All Right.

Boston Harbor

2008-07-08T20:40:00.001-07:00

Boston Harbor

2008-07-08T20:37:00.001-07:00

More Boston, Massachusetts

2008-07-08T20:30:00.000-07:00

Boston

2008-07-07T19:23:00.001-07:00

There are about six more that go with this but Blogger isn't in the mood.

Think, NYC

2008-06-28T07:59:00.001-07:00

On Mercer Street near W 4th Street.

Caerphilly Castle - Wales, UK

2008-06-25T20:41:00.001-07:00

This sign almost looks like an eye, so shiny and round and blue. The wide shot shows a quaint little town in the shadow of the Caerphilly Castle, one of the pre-eminent castles in Western Europe.

Submitted by Peter Mae.

Many thanks to Peter for the wonderful and numerous submissions. And for supplying tight and wide shots so we can see detail and context. Peter's next stop is Straford-upon-Avon so perhaps we'll see a round sign involving the Bard before too long.

Caerphilly Castle - Wales, UK

2008-06-25T20:38:00.000-07:00

Another new exciting category - Amusements.

Submitted by Peter Mae.

Caerphilly Castle - Wales, UK

2008-06-25T20:36:00.001-07:00

Exciting new category - sporting equipment!

Submitted by Peter Mae.

Caerphilly Castle - Wales, UK

2008-06-25T20:34:00.001-07:00

Submitted by Peter Mae.

Caerphilly Castle- Defender of Circular Signs in Wales, UK

2008-06-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

All of the images of circular sign posted under the heading Caerphilly Castle were shot by Peter Mae just beyond the castle in this image.

Lexington & 29th Street

2008-06-25T06:03:00.001-07:00

This is a bit of a stretch because the sign is flush to the wall but I think it still counts.