Baby's pram
Silver Cross
Category
Childcare objects
Date
circa 1959
Materials
Metal, fabric, leather and plastic
Measurements
Pram - 1355 mm (length); 585 mm (width); 1200 mm (height)
Place of origin
Guiseley
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662332
Summary
A Wilson ('Versailles' model) baby's pram, made by Silver Cross, which has a fine double blue line decoration on the sides and the back end (circa 1959). This pram was purchased by the donor and her husband from 'Babyland', High Steeet, Burton-on-Trent, for their son born in 1959. Bought on a weekly instalments scheme, total cost £40, as the wife was working whilst pregnant. Used in the family until 1971 and then stored. Two straps, holding body to chassis, were replaced. The pram also has a same period 'Moorlands' sun canopy (recorded as inventory number - 662334). The Silver Cross company was founded by William Wilson, who pioneered this method of pram-building - coach-built with C-spring suspension and a folding hood. His name was used for several of their most luxurious prams. Described by Noreen Marshall former Curator of Dress, Doll and Childcare Collections Victoria & Albert Museum) as "It was an example of a pram that was bringing back the glamour – quite select. More elegance and aspirational. Aiming to sell to grandparents or someone with money." On either side there is a Wedgwood style blue plaque with a raised white figure of a woman, baby and child. At the front of the pram is a metal coloured 'Wilson'. A metal stud below this logo will hold a line from the sun shade. The chrome handles have a central cream plastic handle. The interior of the pram is lined with cream leather fastened to the pram with cream painted metal studs. A small metal link chain is attached to the interior, on each side, to enable a harness to be used. The wooden flooring has a central panel, with two holes, which lifts to give access to the base. In this base is a white leather strap in two pieces. There are three loose plastic covered cushions. A folding blue fabric covered hood, lined with cream fabric, is attached towards the front. This has two metal folding devices to tension the hood. The whole pram is attached to cream coloured metal springs by cream coloured leather straps with metal buckles. The ends of the springs have silver coloured metal attachments. The body is also attached to the central points of the springs, on either side, by two white leather straps. Four metal spoked wheels have rubber tyres with silver coloured metal hubs with embossed 'W's. The two rear wheels are larger than the two front ones. A metal bar attached to the springs midway holds rubber ended brakes. This is attached by a metal rod to the brake handle to the right of the pram. A blue fabric cover, lined with cream fabric, has four metal studs to attach it to the pram. A front flap attached to the cover has an elastic with metal hook (one missing) at each side. Included is a colour printed advertisement for the pram featuring a woman pushing a pram with a dog by her side and a car in the background. This is in a brown envelope with the donor's address. Total number of items is 8.
Provenance
Donated to the Museum of Childhood by Mrs Gladys Bould in October 2005.
Makers and roles
Silver Cross, manufacturer