Road Coach
The Champion
This particular road coach, manufactured by Peters of London, operated on a route about 106 miles in length from Manchester, England, through Lincolnshire, to Newark. The actual route was travelled by a number of coaches, each having its own name. The various inns or taverns at which the coach would stop, as well as the towns, were often painted on the side of the coach. Since much of the population was illiterate at this time period, this is how you knew how to reach your destination! Needless to say, it took a number of days and stops to make this route. Teams of horses were changed approximately every 10 miles. Depending on the terrain or the season, 3, 4 or 6 horses might be used to pull a coach. A professional stable crew could actually change a team of 4 horses in less than 5 minutes. This particular style of stage coach is not to be confused with the more widely known coach manufactured by Abbot and Downing Company.
Town Coach
This Town Coach was made in the Haag, Netherlands. A typical 19th century Town Coach might have been more elaborate and include hammer cloth, coachman’s seat and Salisbury boot, footman’s cushion and hind standards on a perch carriage. This particular carriage, however, is not that ornate, being used in service for purposes more mundane.
Road Coach
The Columbia
This coach was owned by Francis Moore (a Washington, D.C. financier), friend of John Jacob Astor. Mr. Moore owned a stage line which ran from Washington, D.C. to Chevy Chase, MD and into the countryside. Mr. Moore was married to one of the Swift daughters from Swift & Company, Chicago. In 1912, Moore went to England to purchase fox hounds. On the return trip, he and his friends boarded the Titanic and went down with the ship. This particular coach was manufactured in London and purchased for use in the United States. After Mr. Moore’s passing, it was in storage for many years before being purchased and set for restoration by Mr. Jack Meyer.
Sears & Roebuck Doctor's Buggy
When Sears & Roebuck was in its “hay day,” one could order almost anything and have it delivered. Much of America was rural and didn’t enjoy the privilege of shopping at a mall or Amazon as we do today. One of the featured items that could be purchased was a carriage. It came to your house boxed to be assembled by the receiver. This particular carriage is circa 1900. Its lightweight could easily pulled by a single horse, and quickly became a national favorite of country doctors, and hence coined the name.
The HOTEL Victoires Opera Omnibus
The Omnibus came in various styles. This particular Omnibus is referred to as an “Opera Coach” or a “Hotel Coach.” It was made in Paris and operated by the Hotel Victory in the Opera District. Its everyday use was to transport patrons to and from the railroad station, or other destinations such as the Paris Opera. The carriage, which is circa 1874, and has the original upholstery.
Victoria-Style Carriage (Pre-Civil War)
The California Gold Rush of 1849 gave birth to San Francisco, the “Boom Town”. With a yearn for the elegant and exotic, San Francisco residents climbed higher on the social ladder, discovered the beauty of Oriental culture. Obviously, contracted specifically with an Oriental design, is this lovely Victorian style carriage built in San Francisco. A driver and a footman were seated on the box with the occupants comfortably accommodated in the carriage.
Brewster Carriage
The Brewster carriage was the “Mercedes” of carriages, known as a Victoria or Cabriolet. This series of carriages was made by James Brewster, who founded Brewster Carriage Company in 1810, one of the foremost carriage makers of its day. Brewster carriages came in several models which varied in price and usefulness. They were well-made, graceful and fashionable.
George IV Phaeton
George IV of England, fond of driving a fashionable high-perch phaeton, became so obese in his later years that he could not get up the few steps to enter the carriage. As a result, he had a “low-lined” carriage designed specifically for him. Similar phaetons with a high, sweeping dash became popular for driving in the park by ladies. They were then known as “park phaetons,” but “George IV Phaeton” was the more usual term in the United States. This particular carriage on display (circa 1824) was made by Demarest & Company, New York.
Victoria Carriage
This Victorian style carriage from the Belgian Royal House came to Mr. Meyer approximately 20 years ago. The name “Victoria” was applied to a particular style of carriage which became popular during the reign of Queen Victoria of England and has remained popular ever since. This particular carriage is referred to as “full size”, as you may also find “three quarter size” ladies’ versions.