I just discovered this excellent article about lettering on Brooklyn architecture by Paul Shaw on the AIGA website. BHS’s original 1881 lettering spelling out “Long Island Historical Society” is included along with dozens of other great lettering in Shaw’s article. Check it out!
http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/lettering-grows-in-brooklyn
Photo collage including BHS (top center) from Paul Shaw's article on the AIGA website.