An old cigarette card (c. 1929) with a portrait of Robert Stephenson (1803–1859) and an illustration of his Britannia Tubular Bridge. Robert Stephenson was an English railway and civil engineer. The only son of George Stephenson, he built on the achievements of his father. Robert has been called the greatest engineer of the 19th century. His Stockton and Darlington Railway opened on 27 September 1825 – the first in the world. The Britannia Bridge was built for the Chester & Holyhead Railway to cross the Menai Straits from Wales to the island of Anglesey. The line and bridge opened in 1850.
An old cigarette card (c. 1929) with a portrait of Robert Stephenson (1803–1859) and an illustration of his Britannia Tubular Bridge. Robert Stephenson was an early English railway and civil engineer. The only son of George Stephenson, he built on the achievements of his father. Robert has been called the greatest engineer of the 19th century. His Stockton and Darlington Railway opened on 27 September 1825 – the first in the world. The Britannia Bridge was built for the Chester & Holyhead Railway to cross the Menai Straits from Wales to the island of Anglesey. Along with other engineers he designed a wrought-iron tubular bridge large enough for a train to pass through. The positioning of the first of the four tubes for the Britannia Bridge was carried out in June 1849 and it was lifted into position in October. The second tube was in lifted into place 7 January 1850. A single line was open to public traffic through these tubes 18 March 1850, and the second line was open 19 October. This card is from a 1929 set entitled 'Scientific Inventions and Discoveries' (35 cards in the series). The firm of R and J Hill Cigarettes was established on Shoreditch High Street, Hackney, London in the 1700s. In the twentieth century the company issued cards with their Sunripe and Spinet Oval cigarettes. The firm expanded to include H Archer and Co and issued cards, like this set, under 'The Spinet House' brand. The company no longer exists.
Size: 2009px × 3307px
Location: UK
Photo credit: © M&N / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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