Saltash Bridge Collection

Illustration for Railway Ribaldry by W Heath Robinson (litho)
5210148 Illustration for Railway Ribaldry by W Heath Robinson (litho) by Robinson, William Heath (1872-1944); Private Collection; (add.info.: The building of Saltash Bridge)

Isambard Kingdom Brunel, civil engineer, c1850s
Isambard Kingdom Brunel, English engineer, c1850s. Brunel surrounded by vignettes of some of his most significant projects - the steamships Great Eastern, Great Britain

Photograph of the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash, c1855
Photograph of the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash, showing brick pillars and start of metal fencing. Shows approach to River Tamar whilst still on land, on the Cornwall shore

Photograph of the Royal Albert Bridge, c1859
Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, showing view of bridge close to completion with fine view of curve of track, and workman in position, taken from Devon shore

Photograph of the Royal Albert Bridge, 1858
Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, showing Cornwall span of tubes in place, and Devon span of tubes in process of being manoeuvred into position

Photograph of the Royal Albert Bridge, c1859
Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, side view at angle showing detailed view of the two spans of tubes, with boats underneath, and scaffolding in place, taken from Devon shore towards Cornwall shore

Isambard Kingdom Brunel sketch: railway carriage and Saltash Bridge, c1849-1852
Two sketches by Brunel - Great Western Railway eight wheel carriage: brief and very faint pencil sketch showing several carriages and position of wheels

Photograph of the Royal Albert Bridge, c1870
Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash, which crosses the River Tamar and links Devon and Cornwall. Albumen-print photograph Saltash Bridge and Great Western Railway, circa 1870

Isambard Kingdom Brunel newspaper obituary, 1859
Newspaper cutting of the obituary for I.K. Brunel, published in the Illustrated London News. This clipping features an engraving of I. K

Saltash Bridge, c. 1930 (pencil and oil on card)
1197091 Saltash Bridge, c. 1930 (pencil and oil on card) by Wallis, Alfred (1855-1942); (30.5x42.5 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; English, out of copyright

Sketches on the River Tamar (litho)
1107618 Sketches on the River Tamar (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sketches on the River Tamar)

Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, Cornwall, late 19th or early 20th century. Artist: Church Army Lantern Department
Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, Cornwall, late 19th or early 20th century. Isambard Kingdom Brunel built the Royal Albert Bridge to carry the Great Western Railway (GWR)

The Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, Cornwall, 1926. Artist: Cavenders Ltd
The Royal Albert Bridge, Saltash, Cornwall, 1926. From the River Valleys set of hand-coloured cigarette cards issued with Army Club Cigarettes, Cavanders Ltd, 1926

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"Saltash Bridge: A Testament to Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Engineering Brilliance" Isambard Kingdom Brunel, the renowned civil engineer of the 19th century, left an indelible mark on history with his iconic creation - Saltash Bridge. Constructed in the mid-1850s, this architectural marvel stands as a testament to Brunel's ingenuity and vision. The first glimpse into its grandeur comes from a photograph taken in 1855, showcasing the Royal Albert Bridge at Saltash in all its glory. This awe-inspiring structure was completed three years later and captured once again through another photograph in 1858. These images serve as visual proof of Brunel's ability to blend functionality with artistic beauty seamlessly. A sketch by Brunel himself depicts a railway carriage passing over Saltash Bridge, providing insight into his meticulous planning process between 1849 and 1852, and is evident that every detail was carefully considered to ensure both efficiency and elegance. As time passed, photographs from around 1870 reveal how well the bridge has stood against the test of time. Its sturdy construction continues to inspire admiration even after several decades since its completion. Sadly, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's remarkable journey came to an end in 1859 when he passed away. His newspaper obituary serves as a reminder of his immense contributions not only to engineering but also to society as a whole. Even beyond its functional purpose, Saltash Bridge became an inspiration for artists throughout history. A captivating pencil and oil sketch from around 1930 showcases its magnificence while capturing the essence of Cornwall's landscape surrounding it. Sketches on the River Tamar further immortalize this engineering masterpiece through lithography artistry. The intricate details bring forth an appreciation for both nature and human achievement harmoniously coexisting along this majestic riverbank. Intriguingly, Cavenders Ltd created an artwork in 1926, depicting the Royal Albert Bridge.