John Mills Himself

When the printer John Mills dissolved his business partnership with a Mr Green, he changed his business name from Mills and Green to "John Mills Himself" and went about declaring his independence very clearly on the building he purchased in 1918.

The name is visible in entryway mosaic floors, and on a brass plaque over the entry emblazoned with "John Mills, Himself, A High Class Printing Business. Conducted by Himself and His Staff. But first of all Good Printing." (Look closely to see an image of the back of his head with the words "This is John. Meet me face to face.")

If you haven't yet had enough of John Mills, Himself, walk around to the Charlotte St front of the building and crane your neck to see the words "John Mills Himself" in raised lettering on the parapet at the top of the building.

But even the most independent of men cannot keep themselves alive forever, and after John Mills’s death in 1934, his business was continued by his sons, John and Sam Mills.