The "B" of Bleecker Street

The "B" of Bleecker Street Manhattan Subway Station.

Bleecker Street / Broadway – Lafayette Street is a New York City Subway station complex in the NoHo district of Manhattan on the IRT Lexington Avenue Line and the IND Sixth Avenue Line. It is served by the 6, D, and F trains at all times, B and M trains on weekdays, <6> train during rush hours in the peak direction, 4 train during late nights

The complex comprises two stations, Bleecker Street (IRT) and Broadway – Lafayette Street (IND).

The station features two styles of "Bleecker Street" station identifiers made by the Grueby Faience Company in 1904. The large "Bleecker Street" plaques were assembled from 27 pieces of faience ceramic. They depict poppies. The smaller blue "B" cartouches show tulips, probably a reminder of the Dutch origins of the city. Later Vickers' mosaic tablets were installed when the station was extended, and five different colors were used for the mosaics. These mosaics were removed in the 2012 renovation of the station, and replicas of the "B" cartouches were installed throughout the station.

 

For more see here: http://subwaysigns.com/related_items/tile_mosaic_photographs