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All the United Kingdom England Oxford Mr. Therm Balcony Railings

Mr. Therm Balcony Railings

An obsolete, long-forgotten advertising character lingers on this Sainsbury’s balcony railings.

Oxford, England

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Fred Cherrygarden
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Mr Therm is still alive in Oxford.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
Look carefully.   Fred Cherrygarden / Atlas Obscura User
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About

In 1933, the Gas Light and Coke Company of London introduced a character called Mr. Therm for its advertisements. Designed by illustrator Eric Fraser, he was a whimsical entity with a paper-thin body and a head shaped like a blazing sun.

Though the company was nationalized in 1949 and went defunct, Mr Therm continued to be featured in many a poster and TV commercial until the 1950s, before falling into obscurity.

Even today, he can still be found in Oxford, lingering and hiding in plain sight. Currently a Sainsbury’s, this building at 117-119 St Aldate’s Street was built in 1938 for the Oxford & District Gas Company Offices and used as a showroom until the 1990s. There, on the balcony are railings in the shape of Mr Therm, a small detail of a ghost sign that is not quite noticeable and hard to recognize even if it catches your eye.

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Advertising Design History & Culture

Know Before You Go

Note on edit: in British English “Mr” is used instead of “Mr.” – so the correct name of the character would be “Mr Therm” and not “Mr. Therm.”

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Added By

Fred Cherrygarden

Published

April 24, 2024

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Mr. Therm Balcony Railings
117, 119 St Aldate's
Oxford, England
United Kingdom
51.751692, -1.257658
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