Palace Pier
James Gray: Two views of the pier as it was, four years after its opening. Construction of the theatre commenced in 1899 and it was opened in 1901. [See also jgc_04_058 below] jgc_04_059
2020: The pier is barely visible in this image from 1903 but as many similar images show, it has been considerably enlarged and developed over the years. The railings in front, along the edge of Madeira Drive, remain unchanged and are still a convenient place to rest a bicycle. The proper attire for a cyclist, however, has evolved considerably, with helmets and shorts replacing caps and tweed knee breeches. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Another early photograph of the pier, in use, in 1902. jgc_04_063
James Gray: Two blown-up photographs of the Palace Pier, both copied from original picture postcards [see also jgc_04_100 below]. The period is either just before, or just after, the First World War. View looking out to sea showing the Aquarium. jgc_04_101
2020: The James Gray image was taken three years after the Palace Pier opened to the public. Male and female bathers on Brighton beaches were segregated for much of the 1800s but mixed bathing was finally allowed in 1901. Even so, it looks as if this area was still, a year later, very much for men and boys only. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Another early photograph of the pier, in use, in 1902. jgc_04_064
James Gray: No comment, jgc_04_071
2020: The kiosks at the entrance to the pier can be easily identified nearly 120 years later. The pavement has been widened and there is a lane, in the foreground, reserved for cyclists. The plain railings and path on the left of the James Gray image have vanished although the more decorative iron railings in front are unchanged. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: The original, from which this photograph was copied, was taken by Mr A H Fry, in 1899. The pier had then just been opened to the public and work was still in progress at the entrance. jgc_04_066
2020: These all show a popular view of the Palace Pier and what was originally the Aquarium Promenade Groyne, now the Albion Groyne. The James Gray images all seem to have been taken from an upper window of the Royal Albion Hotel but in 2020 the hotel was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so the modern picture is from ground level. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Summer 1899, and the view of the newly opened pier from the East Street Promenade Groyne, itself built in 1867. jgc_04_068
2020: There are many images in this collection of or from the East Street Groyne, now nicknamed Doughnut Groyne after a modern sculpture of that shape was erected there in 1998. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Further extensions are now apparent. The bandstand and Winter Garden (later the Palace of Fun) were erected in 1911, and the theatre was remodelled. The glass-fronted structure over the theatre entrance also dates from about this time. A canopy led from the roadway to the entrance to the pier. jgc_04_078
2020: In the 1913 image, on the far right, are the entrance and steps down to the Aquarium, now Sea Life Brighton, but this view is now blocked. The kiosk at the entrance to the pier is still there but the flagpole has gone. The Winter Garden is now an amusement arcade. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: A stationary charabanc, opposite the Aquarium, about to start off with a party of Brighton People on a day’s outing. Said to have been in 1920. jgc_05_158
James Gray: It is hard to establish the periods when these comparatively early photographs were taken. No sign of the 1906 windscreen. I would say 1904 because it is almost exactly similar to one on another page. jgc_04_079
2020: All the 1904 traffic is horse-drawn here, no motor vehicles to be seen although the first motor bus service had begun in 1903. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Late 1890s. Note the skeleton of the Palace Pier, then under construction. jgc_01_088
2020: The new image shows the Palace Pier with many more attractions for visitors than when it was first constructed, but on a sunny afternoon in May 2020 it is closed because of the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. There are no people and not even a solitary sailing boat can be seen. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: This view is postmarked 1910, but this is no definite proof. Additional Information: Card addressed to Mr Dale at the Globe Inn, Wentworth Street, Brighton. jgc_04_080
2020: The caption on the original postcard reads ‘Following in Father’s Footsteps’. Both father and son are wearing baggy woollen bathing costumes. The ironwork supporting the pier looks much the same in 2020, possibly with some added cross-ties. The Globe Inn at 2 Wentworth Street, Kemp Town, is now a private house. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: (The Pier in its early days, before the First World War.) jgc_04_082
2020: No comment. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_085
2020: The James Gray image is an unusual view for such an early photograph because it features stormy weather. Modern cameras are much better equipped to work in salt spray and low light. In 2020 boats are no longer kept on this part of the beach and the sunbathers are sitting in socially distanced groups because of the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_086
2020: Bathing costume fashions have moved on but there are still swimmers braving the chilly Brighton water. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: The mens’ bathing beach by the skeleton of the Pier, in 1896. jgc_04_089
2020: This image was taken five years after work started on the Palace Pier and three years before it opened. In 1896 beaches were still segregated and the men-only beach here has men and boys arriving in formal clothes, with straw boaters, jackets, waistcoats and ties, and stripping off to swim, in many cases, naked.
James Gray: No comment. jgc_ 04_090
2020: The original image shows the Palace Pier in 1905, six years after it opened to the public. In 2020 It is much more developed, with fairground rides at the sea end, an amusement arcade, shops and plenty of places to eat and drink. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: The Pier under construction, from the Aquarium Groyne, in 1898. jgc_04_092
2020: The Aquarium Promenade Groyne, built in 1876, was renamed the Albion Groyne in 1892. In December 2019 the groyne, now a Grade II listed structure, was badly damaged and the end wall had to be replaced, as can be seen in the new image, taken on a calm day at low tide in May 2020. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Exact period unknown. Obviously after 1911 and probably about the time of the 1914-18 War as there are few young men to be seen. jgc_04_095
James Gray: A view of the completed Palace Pier, about 1911. jgc_04_093
James Gray: Two blown-up photographs of the Palace Pier, both copied from original picture postcards [see also jgc_04_101 above]. This one looks artificial, and possibly the boats were added afterwards. The period is either just before, or just after, the First World War. jgc_04_100
2020: No comment. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: View of the central area of the Palace Pier showing the large gap in the structure cut by the Royal Engineers in 1940. This was at the time when the German invasion seemed imminent. From the photograph it seems that restoration was about to commence. jgc_04_098
James Gray: Two views of the pier as it was, four years after its opening. Construction of the theatre commenced in 1899 and it was opened in 1901. [See also jgc_04_059 above] jgc_04_058
James Gray: The simple façade of the original building, also in 1899. jgc_04_069
2020: Not many images in this collection were taken in wartime. Both the Palace Pier and the West Pier were cut in this way to prevent them being used as German landing stages and the beaches were mined and fenced off with barbed wire. In 2020 there is no sign of the temporary gap and the pier has been fully repaired and further developed. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: No comment. jgc_04_087
2020: The Aquarium Promenade Groyne was built in 1876 and renamed the Albion Groyne in 1892. It is shown in the James Gray image with the Palace Pier, newly opened, in the background. In December 2019 the groyne, now a Grade II listed structure, was badly damaged, and the end wall had to be replaced. On a calm day at low tide, it is difficult to imagine storms which can batter this coast. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Little more than a wooden promenade leading to the theatre and Pier Head. The deck was clear from rail to rail except for the triple arches of electric lights. The windscreen, which runs down the centre of the deck, was not constructed until 1906. Additional Information: Bathing rooms. jgc_04_060
James Gray: The originals, from which these photographs were copied, were taken by Mr A H Fry, in 1899. The pier had then just been opened to the public and work was still in progress at the entrance. This photograph provides an unusual view of the pier deck from the sea end. jgc_04_067
James Gray: This photograph of the Palace Pier dates from 1899. jgc_04_070
James Gray: Sinking the first pile of the Marine Palace and pier on 7 November 1891. The Mayor was Alderman S H Soper. jgc_04_061
James Gray: The partly built skeleton of the pier, in 1893. jgc_04_062
James Gray: Sinking the first pile of the Marine Palace and pier on 7 November 1891. The Mayor was Alderman S H Soper. jgc_04_065
James Gray: Interior of the theatre. Period unknown. jgc_04_072
James Gray: The theatre and café on the Palace Pier, photographed in 1958. Originally this was a pavilion and concert hall but was remodelled as a theatre and café about 1910. In this form it was very popular and well supported until in 1973, it was very seriously damaged in a gale and never reopened. jgc_04_102
James Gray: Four photographs taken at the seaward end of the pier and at varying periods. This one and the previous are obviously the oldest. jgc_04_105
James Gray: Four photographs taken at the seaward end of the pier and at varying periods. This one and the next are obviously the oldest. jgc_04_104
James Gray: This view of the pier advertises “The Good Old Days”. jgc_04_106
James Gray: This picture taken on 18 May 1986 shows the clearance of the old theatre building and the start of the pavilion that replaced it. jgc_04_107
James Gray: Another of the many photographs taken of this Pier in the early years of the century. Presumably it dates from before 1906, when the windscreen running down the centre of the decking was erected. The pedestrians seem to be well wrapped up with little attention being paid to the ice-cream seller standing forlornly by her kerbside handcart. Additional Information: Horses drinking trough. jgc_04_073
James Gray: The scene on the deck of the Palace Pier in 1907. This photograph gives a rare view of the bandstand not often seen in views of the pier. jgc_04_074
James Gray: Diving into the sea while on a cycle was a popular feature of entertainment on both of Brighton’s piers at this time. A similar exploit, though with another rider, is seen in a photograph of the West Pier, in the appropriate volume. (See jgc_02_110) jgc_04_084
James Gray: Card sent, 3 August 1923 to: Mr & Mrs Atkins, 72 St James Rd, W.Croydon, Surrey. Message: 7 Clarence Square, Brighton.
Just a P.C. to tell you I am not looking forward to coming home but I am to my lesson on Tuesday. Have not been to see that friend of yours yet, there is such a lot to do & so little time, but I am still hoping. We are now enjoying the best day we have had, its lovely & warm. Regards. Yours. jgc_04_091
James Gray: The paddle-steamer “The Brighton Queen” at the eastern landing stage of the Palace Pier. Year unknown, but the absence of any post-war building and development in the rear areas does suggests that the photograph dates from the 1930s. jgc_04_097
James Gray: A remarkably clear postcard view of the pier, and strangely enough of the sea-front devoid of motor coaches. This suggests a period soon after the end of the war, when petrol rationing curtailed motoring. Hardly a warm day though as most of the people are well wrapped up in overcoats. Additional Information: Many on the beaches. jgc_04_099