There is a unique magic in holding a piece of history that was once tucked into a post box on a breezy Welsh afternoon. This latest addition to my collection—a vibrant "Cotman-Color" series postcard—captures more than just a famous landmark; it captures a moment of mid-century leisure, a family's awe at British engineering, and the enduring charm of the "wish you were here" tradition.
Whether you are a dedicated deltiologist (a collector of postcards) or a fan of Welsh history, this particular artifact offers a wonderful deep dive into the 1950s or 60s era of British domestic tourism.
 |
| The Menai Bridge, Anglesey |
The View: Thomas Telford’s Masterpiece in Technicolor
The front of the postcard features a stunning, high-angle view of the Menai Suspension Bridge, titled simply "THE MENAI BRIDGE" in a clean, sans-serif font at the bottom left. The image is a classic example of the Jarrold & Sons Ltd printing style, known for their "Cotman-Color" series based in Norwich, England. These cards were famous for their saturated, painterly quality that made the British landscape look like a vivid dream.
In this frame, we see the bridge stretching elegantly across the Menai Strait, connecting the mainland of North Wales to the Isle of Anglesey. The composition is particularly peaceful:
The Bridge: You can see the rhythmic limestone arches supporting the approach and the long, sweeping suspension chains that were a marvel of the early 19th century.
The Water: The Strait is a deep, reflective blue, with gentle ripples in the foreground near a small white yacht moored on the right.
The Shoreline: On the left, a charming stone building with a green upper story sits right at the water's edge, surrounded by lush, dense summer greenery.
Looking at this image, it is easy to see why the senders described the scene as "very impressive". Even today, nearly 200 years after its completion in 1826, the bridge remains a titan of civil engineering.
The Message: A Snapshot of a Family Holiday
Turning the card over reveals the personal side of this historical fragment. The handwriting is neat and confident, written in blue ink that has held its colour remarkably well over the decades.
The message is addressed to a Mr. H. F. Welham at 7 Surbiton Hill Rd, Surbiton, Surrey. Surbiton, a leafy suburb of London, was (and is) a world away from the rugged coastline of North Wales. For Mr. Welham, receiving this card would have been a colourful reminder of his friends’ adventures far to the north.
The note reads:
"Dear Mr. Welham, We are enjoying a holiday in North Wales this year, we have been across to Anglesey via the Menai Bridge today, very impressive. We do hope you are keeping well, Best Wishes from Grace & Ted Collins. Ken & Geoffrey."
This short note tells a quintessential story of the British touring holiday. In the post-war era, as car ownership increased, families like the Collins would pack up their vehicles and head to the coast or the mountains. Crossing the Menai Bridge wasn't just a logistical necessity; it was an event—a highlight of the trip that warranted a report back to friends in Surrey.
Dating the Artifact: Stamps and Postmarks
As collectors, we often play detective to find the exact "when" of a card. This piece offers several clues:
The Stamp: The card bears a purple 3d (three-old-pence) stamp featuring the young Queen Elizabeth II. This is part of the "Wilding" series, which was the standard definitive stamp from 1952 until the late 1960s.
The Publisher: Jarrold & Sons Ltd of Norwich began their "Cotman-Color" series in the 1950s. The style of the logo and the typography suggests this is likely from the late 50s or early 1960s.
The Postmark: While the date is partially obscured, the sorting office is visible as CAERNARVON (the English spelling of Caernarfon used during that period). The time is marked as 11 AM.
Based on the 3d postage rate and the stamp design, we can safely place this card in a time when the British seaside and mountain resorts were at the height of their popularity, before the dawn of cheap Mediterranean package flights changed holiday habits forever.
Why the Menai Bridge Matters
The bridge shown on this card is more than just a pretty picture; it is a monument to the Industrial Revolution. Designed by Thomas Telford, it was the first major suspension bridge in the world.
Before it opened, travellers to Ireland had to brave the dangerous currents of the Menai Strait by ferry to reach Holyhead. Telford’s bridge allowed the "Irish Mail" coaches to cross safely and quickly. By the time Grace and Ted Collins drove across it in their car, the bridge had already survived over a century of North Welsh weather and had been significantly renovated in the 1940s to handle the weight of modern traffic.
Preserving the "Small Histories"
I often wonder who Grace, Ted, Ken, and Geoffrey were. Were they a family? Perhaps Ken and Geoffrey were their sons, experiencing the scale of the Menai Strait for the first time. This postcard is a "small history"—a record of a single happy day in the lives of ordinary people, preserved on a piece of cardboard.
For those of us who collect, these cards are a way to touch the past. They remind us that while technology changes—from the suspension chains of 1826 to the digital images of today—our desire to share our experiences with those we care about remains constant.
