Hidden Book Treasure No.7: Seaside Photographers
This dapper chap walking with purpose along a seaside promenade fell from the pages of an old adventure novel. He looks rather like a Government Official in his very proper suit, waistcoat, bowler, raincoat and watchfob on a warm day. Is he carrying a folded newspaper or top secret documents? Quite possibly has a direct line to Whitehall too!
However, what I can tell you about this photo is that it was taken by Sunbeam Photo Ltd of Margate...
At the height of their popularity Sunbeam Photo Ltd employed 300 people between the holiday months of June - September to take photo's of holiday makers as they enjoyed the beaches and promenades at Margate & Thanet. You could collect your photo the day after it was taken from the Sunbeam Kiosk on the bay. The photo below shows the Sunbeam headquarters at Margate; 82 Sweyn Road.
If anyone has seen the 2011 remake of 'Brighton Rock' starring Helen Mirren and Sam Riley, you'll be aware of the importance of the promenade photographer who takes an incriminating photograph of the villain and an innocent female bystander, thus putting her life in danger! How serendipitous it was that I should find this photo a few days after watching the film!
Brighton Rock film trailer:
Comments
Thanks so much, this blog bought a hundred memories back.