The Little Red Devil

Last Friday one of my dearest friends had a serious operation and I was very worried. To keep my worries at bay I decided to have a walk around York like tourists do. It is a beautiful town and I really love it, unfortunately, as it happens even with the loveliest things you see every day, you might end up taking them for granted. Anyway it was a nice sunny day so I took some photos.

My favourite street in York is Stonegate. Originally it was the Roman Via Praetoria and led to the legionary headquarters, the Principia. The street contains buildings and architecture of every period from the Normans to the Victorians. Its name means 'stone paved street' and for centuries it was associated with bookshops and printing. The Little Red Devil at Number 33 Stonegate is the sign for a printer's shop. Stonegate was once the centre of York's printing industry. It is said that it was not uncommon for the printer’s apprentice, who would carry hot type in the print shop, to mischievously re-arrange type for the printer.

Although not proven, this is the reason for the nickname a ‘printer’s devil’.Several years ago the devil was completely red, but this picture shows his head, beard and horns have been painted black. Notice how he is chained around his waist to the wall - is that enough to stop him causing any mischief?