Address: 60 Blossom St, York, YO24 1AP (now Blossom Cosmetic Clinic)
Description
A faded mosaic, bearing the name ‘Cottam’ in black and blue tiles with cursive lettering, stands prominently against a background of white and yellow tiles. The sign is bordered by red and black patterns.
History
At the mosaic doorway on Blossom Street lies a tribute to Elijah Cottam, a tobacconist who traded here in the early 20th century.
Born in Lincolnshire, Cottam moved to York in 1881. By the late 19th century, he had established himself as a tobacconist at 20 Blossom Street, which was renamed 60 Blossom Street in the early 20th century.
A tobacconist shop from the same period, indicating what Cottam’s might have looked like
His shop sold an array of tobacco products and related accessories like pipes, lighters, and pipe cleaners, catering to the tastes and needs of smokers in the area.
Products that Cottam’s would have sold, including ‘Wills Gold Flake cigarettes’ at the bottom—a brand featured on another ghost sign in York
Over time, he expanded his inventory to include more specialized smoking paraphernalia like ashtrays, humidors, and cigar cutters, making his shop a hub for tobacco enthusiasts.
Cottam continued trading as a tobacconist until his death in 1948.
Despite the passing of time, his memory endures through the mosaic entrance at Blossom Street and through his living relatives in York today.
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