James Gray: Three more photographs [jgc_02_012, 013 and 014] of the beach and the recently built West Pier. Almost certainly the work of Edward Fox and of the year 1870, or soon afterwards. Additional Information: Similar view to jgc_02_012. jgc_02_014
James Gray: Five cameo photographs of the pier and the adjoining beach at low tide. Obviously taken soon after the opening of the pier, the exact year is unknown. The dress of the people on the beach suggests the period 1868-72. Children’s habits do not seem to change very much. jgc_02_027, 029, 030 and 031
2020: There are actually six not five ‘cameo photographs’ of the West Pier noted by James Gray – images jgc_02_027 to 02_032, with jgc_02_028 and 032 on the West Pier (1) page. Everyone on the beach appears well- and warmly-dressed. Most wear hats of some kind. The new image shows the few remaining cast-iron piles of the West Pier framing the Palace Pier, which opened some 20 years after these images were taken, in the background. The generally less-formally dressed young people relaxing in the sunshine are following guidelines on ‘social distancing’ in the light of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. (Photographer: David Sears)
James Gray: Six photographs [see also jgc_02_024 to 026] of the West Pier, the focal point of most being the low gas-lit bandstand. Period – most likely 1868-72. jgc_02_021, 22 and 023
James Gray: Original photographs, probably taken by Edward Fox. Such clues as there are suggest period of about 1866-70. Copies of some of these appear on other pages. jgc_02_036
James Gray: Copy of jgc_02_036. jgc_02_046
James Gray: Not long after the pier was opened, the primitive bandstand, which was little better than a raised wooden platform, was found to be quite inadequate, so about 1875 an enclosure, seen in the 1876 photograph, was built on the main seaward decking. This lasted for many years, being removed only when the pavilion (later the Theatre) was built in 1893. jgc_02_048
James Gray: Rough seas breaking over the sea wall in 1907. This photograph clearly shows how much nearer to the promenade the sea came in those days, before groyning caused the beach to accumulate. jgc_02_088
2020: This is surely one of the more contrasting pairs of images in the James Gray collection.
James Gray: The interior of the West Pier Theatre, about 1905. During the 1920s and 1930s, I saw many good plays from the balcony seats at the left, for the modest price of sixpence (2½p). Happy days! jgc_02_108
James Gray: Doughty’s Dogs entertaining people on the deck near to the Pier Theatre. This was considered to be something of a novelty at this period. jgc_02_109
James Gray: Knickerbockered boys trying to find what it was ‘the Butler Saw’. jgc_02_111
James Gray: Edwardian pastimes for the amusement of the visitors. Additional Information: ©Philippe Garner. jgc_02_112
James Gray: Doughty’s Dogs were a great attraction, but the intrepid diver (?) seems to have made a bad start to his dive. Additional Information: ©Philippe Garner. jgc_02_113