Part 2

This dog cart was one of the types approved for tandem driving by the Tandem Club of New York. In design it was copied from a dog cart shown in the print by C. C. Henderson entitled _Going-to-Cover_, which has been described by authorities as a truly ideal sporting picture of the tandem team. Originally the dogs would have been taken to cover in the capacious boot which was ventilated on either side with louvered spaces.

Tandem driving was practiced by the ladies as well as by gentlemen, and in fact Lady Georgiana Curzon wrote the tandem chapter in _Driving_, the volume on that sport written for the Badminton Library of Sports and Pastimes, published in 1889.

This cart was built by Brewster and Company of New York.

_Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill_

SHOOTING CART

_Body painted black; wheels and gear yellow. Trimmed in tan printed pinwale corduroy, black pattern._

This type of vehicle is also known as a Slat-side Phaeton and is described by Francis C. Underhill (_Driving for Pleasure_) as a modification of a vehicle used on the other side of the water in a lighter construction. It is intended for private use in the country with a team or a pair and would have been found among the vehicles in the coach barn of a connoisseur of carriages. The body work on the shooting cart is similar to that found on the four-wheel dog cart.

This cart was built in 1894 for Dr. Webb by Brewster and Company of New York.

_Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

NON-SPORTING CARRIAGES

BROUGHAM

_Body painted dark green, green gear. Trimmed in green leather._

The story of the origin of the brougham about 1837 was published in 1889 by George N. Hooper--at that time president of the Institute of British Carriage Manufacturers. Lord Chancellor Brougham, lawyer, orator, writer, innovator and originator of many ideas on many subjects, took his plans for a refined and glorified vehicle similar to the street cabs, just then making their appearance in London, to his carriage maker who refused to produce the vehicle because it was light and lacking in dignity in his estimation. A neighboring coachmaker accepted the challenge of this new type of carriage and in gratitude Brougham did his best to influence the world of fashion to purchase this vehicle which revolutionized the old methods of carriage building as regards lightness, handiness, ease of access and economy.

This brougham was built for Dr. and Mrs. Webb by Brewster and Company of New York.

_Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

(Above) The brougham, formerly owned by Dr. Webb, parked outside Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne, Vermont during the marriage ceremony of Miss Frederica Webb and Mr. Ralph Pulitzer in October of 1905. After the wedding, Dr. and Mrs. Webb returned to their home at Shelburne Farms in the brougham and the lower photograph shows the carriage entering the home grounds.

LANDAU

_Body painted dark green, black trim with straw color striping. Trimmed in dark green morocco leather and blue broadcloth._

The landau originated in the German town of that name and was used from mid-18th century as a posting (traveling) or dress vehicle. About 1850, coachbuilders began to use the lighter elliptic springs on the landau and the whole vehicle became more miniature in size. The landau combined the virtues of both an open and close carriage, as the folding heads could be dropped and the windows lowered.

Landaus with curved body lines were known as Sefton landaus and those with angular lines as in this example were called Shelburne landaus after the Earl of Shelburne who had the first of this pattern built to his order.

This carriage was built by the famous Brewster and Company and belonged to the Theodore Havemeyer family.

_Gift of Mr. Henry O. Havemeyer, Mahwah, New Jersey._

PANEL-BOOT VICTORIA

_Body painted black with black wheels. Trimmed in navy blue broadcloth._

The victoria became the fashionable park carriage when in 1869 the Prince of Wales imported one from Paris for his mother, Queen Victoria, for whom the carriage was named. When she appeared in it for her daytime drives, it soared in popularity. Known at first as the victoria phaeton, it was in truth a faithful copy of the George IV phaeton with a box added for the coachman to drive from. It was always turned out in formal style and is somewhat of a symbol of the reign of Queen Victoria.

This carriage was built by Henry Hooker and Company of New Haven, Connecticut, and tradition has it that both Presidents Arthur and Harrison were passengers in it during their visits to New Hampshire.

Note the “slip linings” on the boot and the leatherette apron pulled over the interior upholstery. These served as dust protection for the finer vehicles in the coach barn.

_Gift of Mrs. Charles E. Tilton, of Tilton, New Hampshire._

SKELETON-BOOT VICTORIA

_Body painted dark olive green, green gear. Trimmed in dark green._

The handsome victoria was well suited for the formal call and the promenade on wheels. In 1877, Mrs. E. B. Duffey, in her _Ladies’ and Gentlemen’s Etiquette_ book warned her readers that “morning calls should not be made earlier than twelve noon, nor later than 5 P.M. and the lady should be more richly dressed when calling on her friends than for an ordinary walk.” A lady should “never lay aside her bonnet during a formal call even though urged to do so.”

The rules were just as rigorous where her carriage was concerned. Her coachman, stately in bearing, should be taller and more portly than the footman, but he too should be of more than average height, thoroughly well trained and preferably slim.

This victoria was built by Brewster and Company of New York in 1904.

_Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

Photos above and below were taken in the courtyard of the coach barn at Shelburne Farms about 1905 and show the victoria turned out, ready for a formal call.

Fine carriages were never neglected. Each vehicle was thoroughly washed off as soon as it came in the coach barn; grit was carefully removed from hinges and joints; only the finest chamois were used to wipe dry the painted panels. Linseed oil was applied to the folding leather tops, and all metal parts on lamps and moldings were kept brightly polished. This was routine care in well-regulated stables.

VIS-À-VIS

_Body painted dark olive green, green gear. Trimmed in dark green._

The vis-à-vis was known as the sociable in England and appears with a panel body (as in this example) or with a basket-work body. When it was properly turned out, it was formally horsed with two horses of fifteen hands each and carried either one or two “trim dapper servants,” the groom being a trifle smaller and shorter, as it was not good taste to have the groom or footman show more height on the box than the coachman.

_Given by the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

PRIVATE OMNIBUS

_Body painted dark olive green, green gear. Trimmed in green leather._

The omnibus, one of the larger carriage types, was intended for owner driving as well as coachman driving and could be used with two horses; three horses abreast with an adjustment of the two poles, and for long distances over heavy country roads; or (even though it did not class as a proper four-in-hand vehicle) with four horses. At coursing and race meets, the omnibus made an admirable and roomy grandstand.

The lazyback and cushion on the roof-seat were removed when the omnibus was servant-driven unless the seat was needed for the transporting of house servants. When the omnibus was temporarily transformed into a four-in-hand and owner-driven, the servants in undress liveries rode inside, with the owner and his guests occupying the box and roof-seats.

This omnibus was built in 1891 for Dr. and Mrs. Webb by Brewster and Company, of New York.

_Given by the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

CALÈCHE

_Body painted dark olive green, green gear. Trimmed in morocco leather and broadcloth._

The calèche was a grand carriage and belonged to the “state” order. As Francis Underhill wrote in 1896: “It is not at all suited unless the stable be supplied ... with numerous carriages. It is intended simply for the most formal calling or for park work.” The horses required were of the finest breeding, perfectly matched and with faultless manners. The harness was elaborate and included breeching (that part of the harness which passes around the hind quarters of the horse) and loin straps.

This calèche was ordered in Paris, France by Dr. and Mrs. Webb in 1890 from the famed French carriage maker, Million et Guiet. It was used in New York until about 1900 with the two superb Webb horses “Chilcat” and “Chilcoot,” (17.1 and 17.2 hands respectively). After the death of one of these perfectly matched big horses, the calèche stood unused in the Webb coach barn for many years.

_Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

BERLIN

_Body painted dark olive green with deeper green trim, green gear. Trimmed in green silk satin._

One of the first carriage forms, the berlin was invented about 1660 in Germany, and much used on the European Continent for royal traveling with two or four horses, two men on the box, two grooms standing on the rear, and out-riders for protection.

When the berlin here illustrated was harnessed à la grande daumont, the box was removed by loosening the bolts, and the mounted postillions then drove from the two near side horses. The berlin was truly a state carriage with its well-balanced lines and air of luxury without ostentation.

This berlin was built for Dr. and Mrs. Webb in France by Million et Guiet, and imported to America in 1890. It was used with the marvelously matched Webb horses Chilcat (17.1 hands) and Chilcoot (17.2) in New York.

_Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

On the festive occasion in October of 1905 for Miss Frederica V. Webb’s wedding to Mr. Ralph Pulitzer, the berlin was harnessed à la grande daumont, with Mr. J. Watson Webb on the leader and Mr. W. Seward Webb, Jr. on the wheeler. This equipage, with the two brothers riding postillion for their sister, brought the bride and groom home to Shelburne Farms from Trinity Episcopal Church in Shelburne after the ceremony.

CARROLL COACH

_Black with white striping; gear is black with yellow striping. Trimming: gold-on-gold damask._

An unusually fine example of a private coach of the mid-19th century, made to carry six persons in addition to the coachman and footman.

The woodcarving trim on this coach, which originally was owned by George W. Carroll of Carrollton, Isle of Wight County, Virginia, is of especial note. The carved double leaf motif is in keeping with the size of the coach. The _Coach Makers’ Illustrated Hand-Book_ in its chapter on woodcarving warned that “The coach and carriage of smaller dimensions will not admit of great boldness in design, but every portion requiring decoration will admit of a well-conceived design and delicacy of workmanship.”

This coach has an unusual amount of white striping on the body and the carving has been emphasized by the addition of a white outline.

FORMAL COACH

_Body painted dark green with black top. Trimmed in dark green leather and broadcloth with dark green padded satin ceiling._

Traditionally, one of the first carriages in England was the coach brought out of the Netherlands by a Dutchman as a gift to Queen Elizabeth “who had been seven years a queen before she had any coach.”

The coach through the years maintained its place as the “chief of every class,” and so while many vehicle-constructing concerns could add the designation--“carriagebuilder”--after their business names, only a few deserved the appellation--“coachmaker.”

This formal or dress coach was used in and around Bennington, Vermont. It was built by Jas. Cunningham Sons & Co., Rochester, New York.

_Gift of the directors of the Henry M. Tuttle Company, of Bennington, Vermont, in memory of Mr. Fred Stickles, for many years president of that company._

IRISH JAUNTING CAR

_Body and wheels painted black._

Also known as outside car, Irish side car, jogging cart. In 1889, the Duke of Beaufort writing his volume on _Driving_ for the Badminton Library Series pointed out that “the outside car, so common in the land of Ireland itself, has made little way elsewhere. It may be described as a dog cart body hung sideways, but the similitude goes no further, for it is suspended on a pair of low wheels which revolve inside, or rather under the body.... The driver sometimes sits on a separate seat in front and at other times on one of the side seats. To ride on or drive an Irish car requires a certain amount of teaching, training or practice. Visitors from other countries are very apt to be thrown off into the road if the driver is humorous or lively and turns a street corner quickly; any stranger who rides on an Irish car ought to be advised to hold fast and not relax his hold till he has safely ended his drive.”

This car was made in Dublin, Ireland for Mr. William C. Indicott who in 1930 presented it to Mr. Charles Sumner Bird.

_Gift of Mr. Charles Sumner Bird of East Walpole, Massachusetts._

HANSOM CAB

_Body painted black; gear painted red. Trimmed in black leather._

Joseph Hansom, the inventor, patented this type of cab (which is the shortened form of cabriolet) in 1834. Forder, another coachbuilder, redesigned it in 1873 and it became a popular carriage for hire, both in this country and in even greater numbers in England where it was known as the “gondola of London.” Limited amounts of luggage could be carried on top of the cab and in the space between the apron and dashboard.

This hansom, as evidenced by the baggage rail on the roof, was a public conveyance, but these vehicles also found a place in town stables as private cabs during the latter years of the 19th century. Essentially a man’s carriage for town use, they were often finished in flash colors. The servant who drove the private hansom wore a dark cutaway, trousers and high felt or derby hat. In cold weather he was supplied with a cloth overcoat and a lap rug; in rainy weather an “upper benjamin” or poncho-like garment in a waterproof material and a weather-apron to protect his trousers.

COACHING AND OTHER FOUR-IN-HAND VEHICLES

ROAD COACH “LIBERTY”

_Body painted maroon and black, red wheels. Trimmed in leather._

This famous road coach LIBERTY was built in Paris by Million et Guiet and is a reproduction of the old royal mail coaches used in England. It was built especially for Mr. James Hazen Hyde, one of the outstanding “whips” of the coaching revival, who had it brought over here and ran it as a public road coach from Holland House in New York city to Laurel-in-the-Pines, Lakewood, New Jersey.

In 1901 Mr. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt and Mr. Hyde made a record run in the LIBERTY to Bellevue Hotel in Philadelphia from Holland House in New York and return in the time of 19 hours and 35 minutes. Seventy-eight horses spaced along the route were used in this record-breaking run.

The LIBERTY was also driven up the St. Bernard’s Pass to the Monk’s Monastery in Switzerland by Mr. Hyde, a feat which more than justified his claim to the title “gentleman coachman.”

_Gift of Mr. J. Ford Johnson, New York, New York._

PARK DRAG

_Body painted dark olive green, green gear. Interior trimming is in green leather; exterior trimming is in tan cord._

The park drag resembles the road coach but is a lighter vehicle and is intended for four-in-hand driving by the owner-coachman for his own amusement and that of his friends.

The Coaching Club of New York each year sponsored Meets for their members. Sometimes these drives occupied an hour or so and the coaches returned to point of departure and there separated; on other occasions the coaches went to some out-of-town place for lunch or dinner and returned independently.

Fairman Rogers in his _Manual of Coaching_ (1899) mentions the placement of passenger load for these Meets: “The wife of the owner, if he has one, takes the box-seat (with him); two ladies and two men on the front roof-seat, the back of the hind roof-seat is turned down and the two grooms are in the rumble ... in the case of mourning, when the wife of a member does not, for that reason, wish to appear at the Meet, a lady takes her place, or the load is made up of men only.”

“The only occasion on which the wife of the owner, if she is on the coach at all, is not on the box-seat, is when a very distinguished personage such as the President of the United States takes that seat on the leading coach. If the owner is unmarried, the lady on the box is usually one of his own family.”

The photograph above taken in Central Park, New York, shows Dr. and Mrs. Webb on the box at the commencement of one of the Coaching Parades. In the lower picture, Miss Frederica V. Webb (daughter of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb) handles the “ribbons” for the Ladies’ Coaching Parade. Her brother, Mr. J. Watson Webb, is on the box-seat with her.

_Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

ROAD COACH “DEFIANCE”

_Body painted black with red gear. Varnished interior; wicker seats._

The DEFIANCE was built by Brewster and Company, New York for Mr. C. Ledyard Blair, father of the donor, and belonged to him over a period of nearly 50 years. Originally painted in his colors, primrose and black, the coach was driven in many parades and on coaching club trips. In 1935 Mr. Blair presented this coach to Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill, husband of the donor, and at that time it was repainted in the regular Gambrill colors.

These coaches were copies of the earlier English mail coach and each was given its own name. Points of departure, destination and intermediate towns were painted in bright colors to a set pattern, and the names “Vernon Manor, Peapack, Gladstone, Far Hills and Bedminster” appear on this coach.

_Gift of Mrs. Gambrill in memory of her husband, Mr. Richard V. N. Gambrill_

SKELETON BREAK

_Body and gear painted bright yellow with black._

The skeleton break (or brake) was used to exercise the four-in-hand team and also for breaking the team to harness. The driver’s seat was placed high and this offered him some protection in his dangerous task of putting-to and subduing the horses when they first commenced their team work. Youngsters or fresh horses would be put-to in double harness to a break with an old and reliable specially trained “break horse” or “schoolmaster.” An additional stable-helper would usually stand on the front platform holding on behind the box so that he was free to jump easily on or off as occasion demanded, thus leaving the driver free to cope with his inevitable problems brought on by the high spirits of the fresh “young one.”

This skeleton break was built by Brewster and Company of New York.

_Gift of Mr. F. Ambrose Clark of Cooperstown, New York._

BODY BREAK WITH PERCH

_Body painted dark olive green, green gear. Trimmed in tan cord._

The break (or brake) was a most useful adjunct to establishments where four horses were kept, as it could be used to exercise the team, or as an alternative to the road coach for four-in-hand work when the road coach or drag would be considered too “dressy.” This type of break was also known as a wagonette break.

It was most often used with four horses, although in the country the unicorn team (three horses, one leader and two wheelers) was sometimes used. The break was a most spacious, roomy and useful carriage for station or other rough work. Here the seat length has been curtailed to make room for the additional forward-facing seat which is removable.

This break was built by Brewster and Company of New York and the Webb coat-of-arms has been incorporated on either side in the center spindle.

_Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_

CARRIAGES OF AMERICAN ORIGIN

THREE-SEAT SURREY

_Body painted dark green, green gear. Trimmed in tan canvas._

Because of its great popularity the surrey was stocked even at mail-order houses during the latter part of the 19th and early years of the 20th century. As today there is an automobile for each American, no matter what his financial standing, so in those days there was a carriage manufactured especially for his needs, and one of the mail-order houses advertised that its volume of business was so great that it expected to make only $1 profit on its least expensive model.

The hit song of the musical comedy _Oklahoma_ was the “Surrey with the Fringe on Top” and this vehicle, a particularly elegant and sophisticated version of the surrey, answers that description.

EXTENSION-TOP SURREY

_Body painted dark olive green, striped with red. Trimmed in black._

The extension-top used on this surrey was later incorporated into the early auto designs.