Rare 1800s Pratt and Letchworth Toy Carriage

Item Details

A rare 1800s Pratt and Letchworth toy carriage. The single seat surrey with driver is made of hand-painted cast iron. The horse’s movement is lively and energetic and it is in full harness and tack. it is painted red-orange with a yellow mane and tail. At one time, a small wheel would have been affixed to the extended leg of the horse to hold a wheel, making the toy easier to pull. The horse is attached to the carriage. The carriage is painted black and the seat, at one time painted red, is textured to resemble upholstered leather. The driver is clad in a yellow waistcoat and jaunty black top hat, and he has a painted face complete with mustache. The driver is removable. The spoke wheels are yellow and one of them does remove from the frame. Pratt and Letchworth partnered in the 1800s to form the Malleable Iron Works in Buffalo, New York, primarily to make saddlery. In 1889, a toy designer, George Crosby, was hired to make these and other toys.

Condition

- to fair. There is rusting and paint loss evident. Wear is consistent with age and use. One of the wheels does remove from the frame.

Dimensions

Item #

15WDC006-121