The Trade Signs of Essex A popular account of the origin and meanings of the public houses & other signs

"The Trade Signs of Essex" by Miller Christy is a record of the meanings and beginnings of shop and tavern symbols throughout Essex, written in the late 1800s. Christy's work presents more than 600 unique signs, associating their importance to area history, business, and formal symbols of families, giving people a special look into the area's cultural background. The author starts by explaining how signs became very important for telling apart stores and businesses when many people couldn't read. He stresses how the art of family symbols relates to business signs, pointing out their importance in knowing past traditions. Christy talks about how picture signs are less common now, and he prepares readers for a look at the different kinds of signs in Essex, explaining what they mean, where they came from, and hoping readers will value how these signs show the area's past.