Official painted “PENNY LANE, L18” cast iron street sign commissioned for the city of Liverpool, England. The white street sign, measuring 16˝ x 9˝ x .5˝ and weighing 15 pounds, features black text, “PENNY LANE,” and a red postal code, “L18,” set within a black border. The sign bears four mounting holes and the reverse is engraved for official use: “CITY OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, 1957.” In very fine condition.
Situated south off the A562 road in the Mossley Hill suburb of Liverpool, England, the street Penny Lane has become synonymous with the legendary rock band the Beatles, who famously used the name as the title of a 1967 hit song released in conjunction with the single ‘Strawberry Fields Forever.’ Written primarily by Paul McCartney, the song serves as a tribute to the band’s upbringing in the Liverpool area and features lyrics related to the various local people and places. The popularity of the song resulted in the street sign being stolen or vandalized on numerous occasions, which ultimately led Liverpool city officials to no longer commission the sign for manufacture. This unused example, which was intended for placement on buildings high above the street, was one of an undisclosed number that was recovered from the foundry.
