Isambard Kingdom Brunel embodied the engineering genius of the Victorian age. He left behind an enduring legacy of technology and architecture, much of which is still used today.

Brunel’s Great Western Railway and transatlantic ships were vital to the improvement of the postal service, speeding the mail over land and seas. Brunel Speeding the Mail is illustrated with striking stamp artwork, and celebrates Brunel’s role in the birth of mass communication.

This is a graphic exhibition which looks at four major areas of work: His early career and the Thames Tunnel, The Great Western Railway, The Great Ships and The Clifton Suspension Bridge. Each theme is illustrated with stamp artwork commissioned by Royal Mail from 1969 to the present day. Although some of the images will be familiar as they have been printed as stamps, many are proposed designs; insightful and striking but never before seen. For Royal Mail, selecting stamps is a carefully considered process, and several designers submit their ideas for each issue. This exhibition highlights some of the wealth of material behind the design and production of the 2006 commemorative stamps linked to Brunel's birthday bicentenary.

Exhibition Requirements

The exhibition consists of display panels only. There are 6 panels (2000mm x 1000mm) which need to be constructed in a line to form a structure.  Full instructions on how to assemble the exhibition are available.

Size needed: 50m/150sqm
Security: Regular checking
Hire Fee: Free
Insurance responsibility: Venue
Transport responsibility: Venue responsible for transport. The panels will not fit in a normal size courier/transit van.
Notes: The panels are large (2000mm x 1000mm) and heavy. There are 6 panels that need to be constructed in a line together to hold up the structure. Full instructions of how to assemble this exhibition are made available.

What we can offer you

For host venues, the BPMA will offer the following:

• The exhibition free of charge, with instructions on how to assemble
• Marketing on the BPMA website, blog, and in the BPMA newsletter and events guide where appropriate
• BPMA press release template, logo and credit line
• Learning activities to support the exhibition, if available
• Opportunity to sell related BPMA products, on a sale or return basis

What you will need to have

• Security
  Venues must provide any specified security and environmental conditions
• Insurance
  Venues must cover the insurance of the exhibition
• Transport to next venue
  This cost, and the associated logistical arrangements, are to be covered by the venue
• Marketing / press
  Venues are required to logo and line credit the BPMA on all public announcements, press releases, invitations, posters, signs and other promotional material
• Approved methods of hanging / display
  Venues must follow hanging instructions

Contact Us

If you would like to hire one of our touring exhibitions, please download and complete the enquiry form, and send it to the email address below.

Touring exhibitions request form (MS Word, 815KB)

Please send your enquiry form to:
Dominique Bignall
Exhibitions Officer
dominique.bignall@postalheritage.org.uk