No, its not the building you've grown to recognise, this is the Spotted Cow, its predecessor, know to exist in 1871.

The current building dates back to around 1905, built on the same plot of land. We don't know if part of the current building contains part of the original building.

We also don't know when it was renamed but make the assumption it was at the same time, new building, new name. We do know it was in use by 1913.

Southern Weekly News 1877: Sunday morning at the Spotted Cow - William Smith, landlord of the Spotted
Cow, at Salvington, was summoned for keeping his house open for the sale of intoxicating liquors during prohibited hours on a Sunday.

PC Dennis Faith stated that on the morning of the 17th
 of June, he concealed himself in a meadow near the defendant's house. About nine o'clock, he saw a man name Holden go to the back door. A rap brought out the defendant, and, after some words had passed, the defendant went indoors and fetched something in a half-pint cup. Holden drank from the cup and went away, but returned in half an hour, and was again supplied with a drink.

Afterwards, the defendant came out and made signs to persons in the road, and they came up to the door. They were supplied with a bottle and a glass, and drank by the parties standing near the door.
 

He saw other persons go into the house and a man called Hide brought out a can and offered it to a person in the garden, who drank from it three times. Afterwards, Hide went into the house in company with a man named Lillywhite. Witness followed them and saw the defendant in the act of drawing beer. When spoken to, the defendant said, "For god's sake, don't say anything: it is the first time, and I have not been here long."

For the defence, John Holden stated that he went into the Spotted Cow to assist the landlord. James Lillywhite stated the defendant refused to serve him, stating he "looked like a bobby dressed in disguise."

The Bench imposed a fine of £3 and costs of 19s and 6d, and the defendant's licence was endorsed. Thomas Hide was charged with being found at the Spotted Cow during unlawful hours and was fined 5s.

Above is probably one of the most well-known images of the pub, although it hardly features.

Left, a picture taken in 1919. It shows the landlord of the time, Harry Wyatt with his wife Alice. We note there are seven children in each picture, four boys and three girls. Might it be possible that the upper picture is the same family, we would like to think so.

Right, this is John Selden, the man of whom the pub is named after.

John Selden (1584 to 1654) was an English jurist, scholar of England's ancient laws and constitution, and of Jewish law. He was known as a polymath and a political activist.

He was born in a nearby cottage called 'Lacie's, in Salvington, in the parish of West Tarring, West Sussex, and baptised at St Andrew's church. The cottage in which he was born survived until 1959 when a fire destroyed it.

 Time Line

As Spotted Cow:
1859 - Stephen Swan
1871 - George Lewis
1877 - William Smith
1881 - Frederick Smart
1878 - Samuel Hemsley
1890 - 1905 Frederick Ansfield
1905 - Mrs Ansfield

As Ye John Selden:
1913 - 1925 Harry Wyatt
1925 - 1940 William Henry Kirk (To death of)
1940 - 1971 Eric William James Kirk (Son of above)
WW2 - Muriel Annie Kirk in husbands' war absence
1971 - 1980s Theo Blake - Manager
1995 - Martin Hughes
2010 - Rod Stoneham