Gaping ravines and monolithic chasms have constantly provided a challenge to the imagination and engineering skills of man-kind. Reflections of the achievements in bridge building are etched on
postage stamps from a variety of nations. In 1997, Spain released a stamp etched with the Vizcaya Bridge. This bridge straddles the mouth of the Ibaizabal estuary west of Bilbao and was completed in 1893. The 45metre high bridge with its span of 160 metres, merges 19th century iron working traditions with the then new lightweight technology of the twisted steep ropes. It was the first bridge in the world to carry people and traffic on a high suspended gondola. With its innovative use of lightweight steel cables, it is regarded as one of the outstanding architectural iron constructions of the Industrial Revolution. 2003 saw Russia unveil two
bridge stamps –
One with a view of the Anichkov Bridge across the Fontanka River and the other an ope bridge across the Neva River.
The earliest Australian stone arch bridge, the Richmond Bridge in Tasmania, had its image appear on a 1993 and 2005 postage stamp. The sandstone arches, set against the hills of the Coal River Valley were completed in 1825 with convict labour. The Richmond Bridge has National Heritage status because of its possession of uncommon aspects of Australia’s cultural history.
Lithuania released two
stamps in 2006 which display the intricate design of the Paplauja Bridge across the River Vilnia in Vilnius and the Bridge Dam of Pakruojis Manor. These feats of engineering are believed to have been completed in 1882 and 1881 respectively. The detail in the surrounding country side exposed with the views of these bridges makes these postage stamps an aesthetic delight. On January 22nd, 1998, Germany issued a set of
stamps featuring bridges under the motto ‘Bridges Bring People Together’. One of the bridges, the Glienicke, was also known as ‘The Bridge of Spies’. At the northern end (West Berlin) of the bridge a sign warned, ‘You are leaving the American sector.’
The Alex Fraser Bridge, located in Vancouver, was built in 27months and carries six lanes of traffic. Challenging aspects of the design included seismic loading and resistance, ship impact and aerodynamic capability. In 1995, Canada Post presented a
postage stamp of the Alex Fraser Bridge clearly revealing the magnificent cable-stayed structure. It was the longest bridge of this nature from its opening in 1985 until 1991. It remained the longest cable-stayed bridge in the Americas until the opening of the Cooper River Bridge in 2005.
Some of the most exquisite
bridge stamps were released in Luxembourg in 2003. The set of three shows the Adolphe Bridge, the Stierchen Bridge and the Victor Bodsen Bridge. The Adolphe Bridge was constructed in the reign of Grand Duke Adolphe and connected the upped half of the city to the Bourbon Plateau. At the time it opened in 1903, it was the largest stone arch bridge ever constructed. A narrow zigzag path leads to the bottom of the valley and the small footbridge known as the Stierchen. The medieval structure dates back to the 14th century. The Victor Bodson Bridge is also known as the Hesperange Viaduct and is located on the south-east freeway bypass of Luxembourg City and spans the Alzette Valley at a height of 40metres. It is a symmetric cable-stayed structure with a single central concrete height and a sheet of radial cables.
So much of history is retold through the images of man’s achievements.
Postage stamps make this knowledge available to everyone!
Please visit our online shop for a large
stamp collection to purchase.
