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.”