This Hooded Mail Phaeton is a 4 wheeled carriage built by Holland and Holland coachmakers in London during the late 19th century. It can seat up to four people (including the driver) across two front seats under a foldable black leather hood, and two unprotected seats at the back (sometimes called rumble seats). This carriage would be pulled by a pair of horses. The mail phaeton has four grasshopper springs (the kind used on mail coaches), two of which are fixed at the rear via a cross-spring, and two fixed at the front. The carriage is painted dark blue with yellow lining (the livery of Sir John Miller, ex-royal equerry at the Buckingham Royal Mews), although this is not original. It has padded seating with blue velvet cushions with a yellow/gold trimming. The front seats are protected by a metal and black leather dash, which protects the front passengers from stones and mud kicked up by the horse/horses. The driver has access to a foot pedal which controls the spoon brakes that will stop the carriage. The wheels have brass hub caps which are engraved “Holland & Holland, London, W”. Hooded mail phaeton, by Holland and Holland 1875-1900
This driving phaeton was built by Parker and Parker Coachbuilders in London at an unknown date. It is a four-wheeled, open topped carriage, that fits two people in its front seats, and potentially another two passengers in its backwards facing seating. The upholstery for the seating has been removed. The body and undercarriage, including the elliptical springs behind the front and back wheels, are black or unpainted. The carriage has a spoon brake system but the brakes themselves are currently detached and stored separately. On either side of the carriage body are mud catchers over the larger back wheels. The wheels have hub caps which are engraved “Parker & Parker, London W.C”. Driving phaeton Unknown
