Copperplate line engraving published at Wises Manufactory, Tunbridge Town, c1827. No artist or engraver is mentioned. The large building is Lucombe’s Library which stood on the south corner of St James’s Street and Old Steine. The original building on this site was the single storey Gregory’s Library, founded c1760. In 1806 the new library owner, Mr. Donaldson senior, completely rebuilt the library to that as shown in this print. This image comes from: Lucombe’s Library in ‘Part of the Steine, Brighton’ – Historic images of Brighton and Hove (regencysociety.org)
Baxter’s Stranger in Brighton and Directory, comprising a brief … account of the town … With … a map … and other engravings, 1826
The original library’s building was redeveloped in 1806 to offer a “spacious and handsome edifice, elegantly fitted up; and well stocked not only with books but with all that variety of fancy articles, bijouery, & required by fashionable company” (Topographical Sketches of Brighthelmston, 1825 p. 26) The subscription was 8 shillings a month or 1 pound, 11 shillings, 6 pennies per year.
From all historical documents, I am surmising Lucombe took the library over in the 1820s. Prior to that it was Donaldson’s Library. It appears Lucombe may have purchased Donaldson out around 1823 or 1824 and expanded. Lucombe’s would be replaced by Palmer’s New Bazaar by 1833, but for all accounts while it lasted it was an “it” spot.
