Type and signage surround us. They are part of our daily lives and the history of whichever city we happen to live in. Whether old or new, each sign has a story to tell.

In Characters, Stephen Banham has meticulously researched the signage and typography of a city to present an exuberant collection of quirky, poignant and often funny stories. From architecture and advertising to cultural history and much more, Characters is a book that will appeal to historians, designers and typophiles alike.

Featuring a treasure trove of long overlooked examples, Banham reveals how typography is a rich form of cultural expression,redefining the way we look at our surroundings one letter at a time. You will never walk down the street in the same way again.