Summary
Guidepost. Later C19/early C20. Manufactured by Smith, Patterson & Co, Blaydon.
Reasons for Designation
This cast-iron fingerpost of later C19 or early C20 date by Smith, Patterson & Co, is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons:
* Design: It is an attractive example of a later C19/early C20 cast-iron finger post with three ‘fingers’ and a finial.
* Rarity: a now rare example of a once ubiquitous form of street furniture, many of which were removed during the Second World War anti-invasion preparations.
* Historic importance: an important part of the history of road transport in England.
* Manufacturer: it was produced from the Newcastle-based Pioneer Foundry, a major guide and mile post manufacturer of the later C19 and early C20.
History
This finger post is believed to date from the later C19 or early C20, and to predate the widespread adoption of the motor car. It was manufactured by the firm of Smith, Patterson & Co at their Pioneer Foundry in Blaydon-on-Tyne, which operated from 1870 until 1954. A number of mile posts and some guide posts produced by the company are already included on the statutory list. It is first clearly identified on early Ordnance Survey maps in 1920 and predates the 1930 memorandum on direction posts issued by the Ministry of Transport specifying that the fingers should have square ends.
Details
Finger post, later C19/early C20. Manufactured by Smith, Patterson & Co, Blaydon.
Cast-Iron cylindrical post with three fingers and a triangular finial. Fingers have chamfered corners and black raised lettering. One finger points south west listing Shire Moor ½ mile, Benton 3 ½ , Newcastle 7 ¼; the second points north east and lists Earsden ½ , Hartley 3, Blyth 7 and third finger points south listing New York 1½ , North Shields 3 ¾ .
End of official list entry
