Shooting Phaeton

£25.00

Published 1962 © Hugh Evelyn Limited; artist Alan Osbahr;
c. 34 x 24 cm (13″ x 9″) on high white matt cardstock of 115 g/m²;
Shown here is a scan of the print.
This is a STANDARD sized print; see mail costs at Shipping & Returns.
Detail below

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Description

Summary

Not to be confused with the much larger shooting brake (a cart of the carriage of guns or beaters on a shoot) the shooting phaeton refers to a light and usually low-slung, four-wheeled open carriage drawn by a pair of horses that will accommodate a shooter at the rear whilst being driven by someone at the front. The sporty “high perch” phaeton often stars in novels because of its romantic, adventurous reputation. It is more aptly named after Phaeton, the son of the Greek sun-god Helios, known for his poor driving of the sun chariot.  The precariousness of this model lends an air of danger and excitement to anyone who drives them. An example exists at the Grampian Museum at Alford (30 miles west of Aberdeen: a rare example built by Carl Helmbold in Cross Beskerek in Hungary A newspaper report in the Scotsman links the carriage to Balmoral Castle.  It is possible Prince Albert may have purchased a ‘shooting wagon’ from the Austro-Hungarian Empire at that time.  This ‘shooting wagon’ was certainly disposed of by a Huntly scrap yard in the 1950’s to the St Cuthberts Cooperative Society in Edinburgh and was reported to be from Balmoral. The roof canopy is a later addition but in all other respects the hunting phaeton or ‘Jagwagen’ is original. It would have been pulled by a pair of Garron ponies.

Fenton’s Description

This, like the Sociable, is an uncommon carriage, but also peculiarly convenient for the purpose designed, which is that of shooting from. Gigs have been commonly used for the occasion, but this being more steady and carrying more conveniences than a Shooting Gig, is much to be preferred. There has not been many of them built, but there is every reason to suppose that they may be found useful for the purpose. The form of hanging makes it not only easy, but steady, and although described only in this carriage may be adapted to any other. The construction of the carriage part is exactly like that of a phaeton. The body is a half pannel chaise, fixed on a platform, and of a width for two persons to sit in, at a distance be- hind it is an encircled chair body, fixed on the same platform, but that. can only contain one person to sit in. The bodies are placed at a convenient distance from each other, for a sunk bottom or a well for the purpose of carrying the fowling pieces, or game. When used for shooting, the gentleman occupies the back seat, and the servant drives; at other times the gentleman drives and the servant sits behind. The ends of the well and boots are bevelled to each others form for the advantage of room; in the boot the dogs may be carried, but their situation is more comfortable and easy under the seat of the fore body, which may be railed on purpose. They are useful carriages at other times to travel with, and the servant may (without riding on horseback) be also carried in a situation that is proper, comfortable, and convenient at call.

The Carriage a middle size Perch Phaeton, Straked Wheels 10 and 12 spokes, common Axle-trees and Boxes, a whole Wheel Front, two middle size Boots. The fore body a half pannel Chair, with a Sword Case and Sham Door, the Hind Body a low Chair Seat covered round with Japanned leather, each lined with Cloth and trimmed plain, face fixed on a long Platform in which that is a large well. An Oil Cloth at bottom of the Fore Body, Small Wings to both, Two pair of Check Braces, Four strong Compass Irons fixed to the sides of the Boots for the Springs.

The carriage a middle size perch phaeton£1800
A set of wheels strake tyre, 10 and 12 spokes650
A whole wheel front1150
Two middle size trunk boots700
Four strong compass irons or the springs to hang by220
The fore body, a whiskey550
A sword case and sham doors to ditto250
The lining the body with second cloth and plain trimmings500
The hind body, a small simple chair with a plain lining7100
A pair of wings small size1100
An oil cloth for the body076
Painting the carriage1116
Painting the body the some as two whiskeys300
TOTAL£61110

Additional information

Dimensions 38 × 25.5 cm