In this study of Irish shops, Sean Rothery looks at their development from rural converted houses to city planned shops, considers types of shops (including butchers, pawnbrokers, undertakers, post offices, grocers and pubs), and explains the materials used, the facade lettering, and the color schemes. Throughout, he illustrates his text with numerous exquisitely prepared drawings of the shopfronts themselves and of details often neglected by the passing observer. Originally published in 1978, most of the hardcovers were destroyed in a warehouse fire. Now this rare and expensive title is available as a handsome, affordable paperback.