Oxford Ghost Signs: Mr Therm at 118–119 St Aldate's Street
The therm is a unit of heat used for measuring a gas supply, and In 1933 Eric Fraser designed the Mr Therm symbol for the Gas Light & Coke Company of London (dissolved in 1949). Mr Therm was subsequently used by the Gas Council for forty years to advertise gas, as in this example.
Two examples of Mr Therm can still be seen on the railings of the first-floor balconies of the present Sainsbury's Local at 118–119 St Aldate's Street:
This building at 117, 118, and 119 St Aldate's Street was the Oxford & District Gas Company Offices and showroom from 1938 to c.1990 and was called Therm House. Latterly it was known as Southern Gas House.
The Oxfordshire History Centre has a fine collection of photographs of Therm House, all dating from 1938 when it had just opened. Here is a selection:
- Office and showrooms from outside (with the words Therm House on each side)
- Feature doorway at new showrooms
- Kitchen display at new showrooms
- Bathroom display at new showrooms
- Basement interior of new showrooms
- Lecture room in new showrooms
- Rooftop structures at Therm House