On Chalk Farm Road, overlooking the Regent's Canal, is a ghost sign overpainted in rather patriotic colours. The message is pure business, at least as far as it can be deciphered. The words 'merchant' and 'established' are clear; there are traces of another sign written underneath; the rest of the message is now obscure. The year the business was established does seem to begin with (of course) a 1, and to include a 4.
