“The carriages of America are so different from our own and from those of Europe that they require special attention. It is quite possible that in the future their style may greatly influence carriages in all parts. The first noticeable trait in them is lightness.... Americans have adopted some of the shapes of Europe and the European mode on constructing the under-carriages, retaining their own method of making the pole and splinters, as giving greater freedom to the horses. “The cheapness (of their vehicles) is attained by making large numbers to the same pattern, by the use of (machinery) and by the educated dexterity of the American workman, always ready to adopt any improvement.” Horse-drawn vehicles have played a vital part in the lives of civilized peoples, and that period cannot pass for long without demanding the attention of research scholars whose basic interest is to record activities of the past for the benefit of the future. Mr. and Mrs. J. Watson Webb, founders of the Shelburne Museum, have assembled this collection of vehicles and placed it on display in the hopes that it will play a part toward preserving for posterity the examples of the coachbuilder’s art during the 19th and early 20th centuries. LILIAN BAKER CARLISLE Shelburne, Vermont. April 1, 1956 _Table of Contents_ PAGE INTRODUCTION iii CARRIAGES FOR AN OWNER’S DRIVING Mail Phaeton 1 Spider Phaeton 2 Cut-under Phaeton 3 George IV Phaeton 4 Basket Phaeton 6 Miniature Phaeton 7 Curricle 8 Chaise 9 Doctor’s Gig 10 Dog Cart 11 Tandem Cart 12 “Going-to-Cover” Cart 14 Shooting Cart 15 NON-SPORTING CARRIAGES Brougham 16 Landau 18 Panel-boot Victoria 19 Skeleton-boot Victoria 20 Vis-à-Vis 22 Private Omnibus 23 Calèche 24 Berlin 26 Carroll Coach 28 Formal Coach 29