The pony basket phaeton was deservedly popular—especially with women—as it required little skill to keep the body in order, was light in weight and of small initial cost.
Prices and weights for the best make phaetons showed a wide variety, depending upon which type was purchased. The schedule below was published by James A. Garland about 1900 (The Private Stable):
| Type of Phaeton | Price | Weight in Pounds |
| Basket (single) | $400 | 350 |
| Basket (pair-horse) | 750 | 700 |
| Ladies’ | 1150 | 800 |
| 1450 | 1200 | |
| Spider | 1150 | 800 |
Light and airy in appearance, this basket phaeton was used by its owner as a summertime vehicle. It was built by the Hume Carriage Company of Amesbury, Massachusetts.
Gift of Mr. Arthur Brown, Tilton, New Hampshire.
MINIATURE PHAETON
Canework body painted black; wheels black with red striping. Trimmed in black leather.
This little phaeton was made especially in a miniature size for Tom Thumb of Bridgeport, Connecticut. P. T. Barnum first heard of the perfectly-formed twenty-four inch sixteen pound child in 1842. He secured his services for $3 per week and exhibited him at his New York Museum. The child was exceptionally bright and Barnum undertook his education, hiring a tutor and a French professor for him. Tom Thumb with his parents, Barnum and the complete entourage sailed in 1844 for Europe and the first of a number of prosperous tours. He became the favorite of Continental royalty, as well as a pet at Buckingham Palace.