Private coach, probably late 19th century, with all accessories

Private coach, probably late 19th century, with accessories consisting of:- set of harness for 4 horses, six coachmen's jackets, two suits of livery, two whips, two large and two small coachman's aprons, post horn, large dust sheet, one luggage box.

This type of coach is similar in design to a mail coach and is often referred to as a ‘drag’ which is a slang term for a gentleman’s private coach. Nine passengers could be carried on the roof of this coach in addition to those inside. This example is illustrative of the significant resurgence of interest in stage and mail coaches towards the end of the 19th Century, modes of transport which had been largely superseded by the railways by 1840. Such coaches were often used for sporting and social occasions, with this private coach being used by the family of the donor, Lady Margaret Savile.

The coach itself was produced by Henry Whitlock, established 1778, who were listed in the 1882 Post Office London Directory as coach makers ‘by appointment to the royal family’.