This picture above left, is a rare view, taken on the old Chain Pier and looking back at the buildings at the entrance. The two small ticket kiosks (now on the Palace Pier) were installed in 1871 and the road outside is Madeira Road that replaced the Chain Pier Esplanade. It is late evening and business has ceased for the day, or perhaps it is 1896 and its dangerous condition has forced the closure. To the left, the end building is the Pier Master’s cottage and what a strange building it is. The two bedrooms have verandas but is that a porch in the lower centre? The plans for this building would be so interesting and if the photographer had taken a sharper picture we could have picked up so much more. The cottage on the far right is the east toll keeper’s home occupied by John Gurr and his wife and Sarah, his wax flower making daughter. The camera obscura stands on the roof of the Bazaar. It started out on the Steine beach, then moved to the new Chain Pier before reaching this position. Customers reached it through an iron gate (still there) on Marine Parade, then down steps. I believe it was removed in 1927, having been a town attraction for over 100 years.

Charles Combes was a Brighton photographer during its exciting early years of development. First in business with brother John in St James’ Street, he moved (alone) to the buildings of the Chain Pier Esplanade in 1858. In this early period up to 1862 he appears to be a devotee of the Ambrotype of photography (pictured above centre) probably following George Ruff who produced: ‘exquisite crafted keepsakes of the features of loved ones.’ They were expertly hand-tinted with rich quality surrounds using velvet, pinchbeck and leather. As with Ruff, his logo on the photograph was also gold embossed but adding his address as the ‘Chain Pier’ only may have been an attempt to enhance his prestige.

Finally we look at an old insurance policy (pictured above right) for the Chain Pier in 1887. Written by the Guardian Assurance Co. it depicts Britannia emerging from the tempest with an olive branch – maybe an omen? Covered are the east toll collector’s cottage, two entrance kiosks, a photographer’s shed and a ‘Building occupied as a public house and dwelling.’ This was probably the Pier Master’s cottage.

Laurie Keen