Scroll through any Bristolian Instagram feed and you’ll come across an image of the bridge almost immediately. In fact, it’s the most Instagrammable place in Bristol and the seventh most popular place for photos in the whole of the UK! Taking photographs is almost second nature to tourists today, but has this always been the case?
A stereoscopic photograph consists of two side-by-side images taken at slightly different angles, which, when viewed by each eye, trick the brain into creating a unique 3D image. From the late 1850s and throughout the 1860s, stereoscopic photography was all the rage. This craze allowed people to experience scenes from all over the world in incredible 3D.
Some of the earliest photographs we have of the bridge are stereoscopic. They are important because they illustrate the construction of the bridge between 1862 and 1864.
Like today, Clifton Suspension Bridge and the views from it were part of the tourist’s itinerary. Soon after the bridge was opened in 1864, a small wooden hut was set up on the Clifton abutment from where photographs were sold. The photographer, John Beattie, was the first tenant and he sold his own stereocards like the one shown below from this kiosk (see if you can spot the kiosk at the base of the Clifton tower).
Our collection also includes examples from other local photographers such as, Edwin Francis West (1822-1880), son of William West, and owner of the Observatory on the Clifton Downs, his business partner Cyrus Voss Bark (d.1913), William Harvey Barton (1833-1912), and J & J Dutton, photographers based in Bath, as well as Francis Bedford (1815-1894).
As well as Clifton Suspension Bridge, our collection includes stereoscopic photographs of bridges from all around the world – some of which no longer exist. Through the new medium of stereo photography, Victorians could now see new modern structures from across the globe without having to board a steamship.
For more information about the collection please contact Hannah Little, Archivist, email: archives@cliftonbridge.org.uk.
More information about stereoscopy can be found out here: What is Stereoscopy? – The Stereoscopy Blog
Our Collections
Our collections demonstrate the enduring renown of Bristol’s most iconic landmark. Items range from historic souvenirs, commemorative chinaware and postcards to artworks, prints and photographs of the Bridge. You can search our collections below: