Baldwin's of St. James's
Auction 57 14 Apr 2021
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The Portland Collection, Commemorative Medals, Engineering: George IV, the completion of the Royal Suspension Chain Pier, Brighton, copper medal, 1823, by Benjamin Wyon, laur. head r., rev. a view of the pier stretching out to sea, BRIGHTHELMSTONE ROYAL PIER, in ex. DESIGNED & ERECTED BY SAMUEL BROWN ESQ COMMANDER IN HIS MAJESTY'S NAVY 1823, 53mm. (BHM.1215; Eimer 1168; JT.79a), extremely fine
Captain Sir Samuel Brown (1776-1852) pioneered chain design and the use of chains in suspension bridge design. The Union Bridge linking England with Scotland and opened in 1820, was the first vehicular suspension bridge in Britain. Brown was the obvious choice to design the Royal Pier at Brighton [Brighthelmstone] which was primarily intended to be a landing stage for a packet boat service to Dieppe. It stood a little to the East of the present-day Palace Pier. The pier gradually became more and more dilapidated and was destroyed during a storm in 1896. The entrance toll-booth kiosks survived and are now used as small shops on the Palace Pier.
Captain Sir Samuel Brown (1776-1852) pioneered chain design and the use of chains in suspension bridge design. The Union Bridge linking England with Scotland and opened in 1820, was the first vehicular suspension bridge in Britain. Brown was the obvious choice to design the Royal Pier at Brighton [Brighthelmstone] which was primarily intended to be a landing stage for a packet boat service to Dieppe. It stood a little to the East of the present-day Palace Pier. The pier gradually became more and more dilapidated and was destroyed during a storm in 1896. The entrance toll-booth kiosks survived and are now used as small shops on the Palace Pier.