Demi-mail phaeton
Holmes of Derby
Category
Carriages & other vehicles
Date
Unknown
Materials
Painted wood body with leather apron, cloth upholstery and four iron shod wheels.
Measurements
198 x 251.5 x 168cm (6ft 6in x 8ft 3in x 5ft 6 1/8in)
Place of origin
Derby
Order this imageCollection
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
NT 285884
Caption
Because of its size and its style, the Demi-Mail Phaeton was the ideal carriage for a country sportsman to drive his coach horses as a pair or a team, if the occasion did not justify the use of his much larger carriage the park drag. A Demi-Mail Phaeton differs slightly from the Mail Phaeton as it has an archway in the body of the carriage under the drivers seat. This gives a lighter more elegant appearence and enables the wheels to turn more efficently.
Summary
Demi-Mail Phaeton built by Holmes of Derby & London. Also known as a Stanhope Phaeton. Demi-Mail Phaeton (four wheels) for a pair or team of horses, also known as a Stanhope Phaeton. It has a deep body sprung on elliptic springs and a rounded wheel arch, the back panel slopes backward slightly for most of its height. The driver’s seat has a spindled back with wood spindles and a deep top rail. An iron seat rail is fitted all round level with the top of this rail, with a second iron rail on the driver’s side. There is a removable curved seat back on the passenger’s side. The fixed grooms’ seat has a double seat rail and a full width removable seat back. The carriage has an unusually deep dashboard with curved profile. Upholstered in yellow cloth. Painted in dark blue livery with red lining. Family emblems painted on back panel (used for target practice!)
Full description
A demi-mail phaeton usually has a round-backed seat rather than a spindle-back seat as in this case, and frequently has an angular wheel arch. A Stanhope phaeton usually has a spindle-back seat. However, the size and weight of this carriage, and the fact that it has close futchells and a team pole as well as a pair horse pole, imply the sporting use more associated with a demi-mail phaeton. Demi-Mail phaetons were owner-driven to two or four horses with one or two grooms, and could carry one passenger in addition to the driver. A phaeton is a four-wheeled carriage that was driven by the owner, and never by his professional coachman, so the principal seat is always in front, with a seat for a groom, or in this case two grooms, behind. Because of its size and its style, the Demi-Mail Phaeton was the ideal carriage for a country sportsman to drive his coach horses as a pair or a team, if the occasion did not justify the use of his drag.
Marks and inscriptions
Rear panel: Family crest On tops of axle arms.: HOLMES PATENT DERBY On cones and backs of axle cap flanges.: 19124 On front nearside axle set.: D On front offside axle set.: A On rear offside axle set.: E
Makers and roles
Holmes of Derby , coach builder
References
National Trust (Great Britain), Calke Abbey., 1989, NT Book of the House, first edition 1989. Section on The Carriages by C.J. Nicholson in Chapter Four The Contents of the House Carriage Driving, Carriage Driving Feb-March 1990, pp. 8-11. The Carriages at Calke Abbey by C J Nicholson.