Why did it take so long to build Clifton Suspension Bridge?
Brunel won the design competition in 1831 and construction began in 1836, but the project stalled from 1843 due to political and financial difficulties, with only the towers built. It was finally completed in 1864 by William Henry Barlow and Sir John Hawkshaw, five years after Brunel's death, as a memorial to him.
Is the SS Great Britain still in Bristol?
Yes, after being salvaged from the Falkland Islands, the SS Great Britain was towed home and arrived back in Bristol in 1970. She's now preserved as a museum ship in the same dockyard where she was built and launched in 1843.
Do your Bristol postcards cover places beyond the bridge and the ship?
Yes, postcards of Bristol Harbourside, Cabot Tower, the Wills Memorial Building and the Georgian terraces of Clifton appear across the collection, and we add new stock regularly.
What period are these Bristol postcards from?
Most date from the early to mid-1900s, though this varies by item. Where a postcard has been posted, the postmark on the back can help pinpoint an exact date, and we note this in the listing where we know it.
Are these real photographic postcards or printed ones?
We stock both. Real photographic postcards (often abbreviated RPPC) were printed directly from a negative onto photographic paper, giving a sharper image, while printed postcards were produced using traditional lithographic methods. We note which type each postcard is in its listing.
Do you combine postage if I order more than one postcard?
Yes, we combine postage across all items on our store. We post worldwide, and UK orders of £50 and over qualify for free shipping.
How are the postcards packaged when posted?
Each postcard is placed within a protective sleeve and posted in a hardback envelope, to keep it protected in transit.
Would a vintage postcard make a good gift?
They make a thoughtful gift for anyone with a connection to Bristol, or for collectors interested in engineering history, maritime history or local architecture.
Is the postcard photo the actual item I'll receive?
Yes, every photo shows the exact postcard you'll receive, not a generic or stock image.
