Princes Bridge in 1883 1885

Maker unknown (C.M.?)

Registration number

1086983

Artist/maker

Maker unknown (C.M.?)

Title

Princes Bridge in 1883

Production date

1885

Medium

pen and ink on paper

Dimensions (H x W x D)

13.4 x 32.3 cm (unmounted); 22.8 x 41.6 cm (mount)

Inscriptions

lr cnr: C.M. 85 on mount: Princes Bridge / in 1883

Credit line

City of Melbourne Art and Heritage Collection

Keywords

Princes Bridge, Melbourne, Yarra River, 1883, 1885

Summary

Melbourne's Princes Bridge we know today opened in 1888, but there were two earlier bridges that crossed the Yarra. The first wooden bridge was built in 1845 by Alexander Sutherland at a cost of £630. The second bridge (depicted in this drawing) opened in 1850. This bridge was made of stone and much grander than the original wooden bridge. Some thirty years later in 1883 tenders were first called for a third bridge, but it wasn’t until 1885 that Mr David Munro’s figure of £136,998 was accepted and the contract was signed. The foundation stone was laid in 1886 and the bridge opened on 4th October 1888.