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The Gables Appears At Last

The Gables Appears At Last

There was great excitement when we received from Brighton and Hove Museum some photos of The Gables, the grand house that was once in Red Road. We have never had images of the house before, and now we have seven stereoscopic photos. These were taken by James Williamson. He was a pioneer of photography and films and began making films in 1897 in Hove where he was a pharmacist.  In 1910 he sold up and concentrated on film equipment and processing. He moved to London and then in 1917 he bought The Gables, no doubt attracted by John East's new film business in Borehamwood, and Wellington & Ward's growing photographic plates and film works, just down the road.

These 7 photos show the house inside and out, and Williamson himself in his car, a Scripps-Booth, in Red Road.  Maybe a car enthusiast can let us know when that model became available in the UK so we can date the photos. You can clearly see 'The Gables' sign on the wall.

Later on The Gables was renamed King's House when purchased by Martin Benson of The King And I fame, and then was sold to Ray Davies of the Kinks in 1968. For more details please visit our previous blog here.  The house was demolished after Ray sold up and only the annexe remains today as 1 Red Road - King's Cottage.

Many thanks to Alexia Lazou, Assistant Curator, for sending us the photos. Please visit her blog here for more information on the origin and source of the photos, and the importance of Stereoscopy.  The Brighton and Hove Museum can be found here.