Brislington Community Museum

Fred E Bailey

Another visitor who couldn't resist the opportunity to photograph Brislington for a postcard was Fred E (Frederick Eric) Bailey. He was an established photographer in Edinburgh with a studio in Nicolson Street there from 1887 to 1915 (Stubbs, Peter undated). He married Isabella Greig in 1885, and the 1901 census shows the couple living in Edinburgh with their 15-year old daughter. Fred died in 1924 aged 55.

The real photograph postcard shows the number 224 tram on its way from Brislington to Hotwells, and the bridge over Brislington Brook with Ye Olde Village Tea Rooms (now demolished) on the near side, and the Kings Arms Inn on the far side. The earliest known postmark for his postcard of "THE MAIN ROAD BRISLINGTON" is 3 June 1911.

Several variants of Fred Bailey's photograph were produced (including one by Brislington publisher A E Comer), and two are available online: THE MAIN ROAD BRISLINGTON and The Main Road, Brislington. (the latter has also appeared in print - Fisher, Janet & Derek undated, page 15).


Bibliography

Stubbs, Peter undated, Fred E Bailey, EdinPhoto, Edinburgh, http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/pp/pp_bailey.htm (accessed 7 May 2022).

Ken Taylor