A Proper Carriage for Miss Mary and Friends

[talesofthesevenseas]

Uh-oh... looks like this is a 1970's repro:
http://www.webchildhoodmuseum.com/index_files/Page551.htm

There are some slight differences, like the shape of the door, but it looks like this is not going to be worth the drive out.

[waywardangler]

Nuts!

[sapphire]

Tales, unless the one you were considering has seen a lot of weathering it appears to me at least, to have more appropriate wear (on the seat leather especially) for one much older.  Just a gut feeling and based on what can be seen in the small photos. Also the wheels on the 1970's one are more reminiscent of bicycle tires whereas the other seem to look as though they are bare metal.

Again, JMPO. 

[talesofthesevenseas]

Well, it's possible it could be an original, but the feeling I got from the seller's listing is that she too suspected that it was a repro, hence the low price. Especially the way she stated up front that she did not know it's age. Going out to see it tonight would have involved two hours of driving in pouring rain after work, followed by a drive up my mountain road in dense fog. Not worth it to me for something this "iffy".

[sapphire]

Oh my, I really shouldn't start looking around!

Would love to know how they authenticated these


http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-furniture-other-Baby-Carriage-old-W0QQAdIdZ257869476#




http://ontario.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-art-collectibles-ANTIQUE-BABY-CARRIAGE-W0QQAdIdZ214045869

[KC]

Here's the questions that you need to ask yourself....Do I want a reproduction for a repro price?

Let's say that you take this information/pic and show it to the owner and YOU LIKE the one they have for sale AND they go down on the pricing.....would you want it?  Or does a "repro" turn your stomach?

[talesofthesevenseas]

I definitely want the real thing, especially when an antique is close to the same price as a repro.

[wendy177]

Had to run downstairs and photo this poor little thing, has seen better days!!!!! It has been with me for over 30 years. One of the finds  Mom & I collected during our many years of searching for antiques. Miss those days!!!!  Please excuse the mess but going through tons of boxes still!!!!!!!!

[Oceans64]

Do you know the age on yours Wendy?  I have a pic of my Dad in one that is similar.  His is wicker but the frame looks identical.  If Nana bought it new, it would probably date to 1935/6 when she had my Aunt.  Otherwise, 1940 or earlier when this pic was taken.

[talesofthesevenseas]

What a neat carriage! I bet you could restore that bonnet with some nice, supple leather.

[hosman321]

I keep seeing this one on CL but I have no idea how to tell if it's a repro. The umbrella is in way too good of shape to be civil war era.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/atq/2240898422.html

[talesofthesevenseas]

Wow, that's a neat one. I don't know if it's as old as Civil War, but it does look to have some age to it, looking at the handle and the wicker. Doesn't look like a repro to me. I read one guide on buggies that was saying that the dead giveaway to repros is a curly handle, in addition to the usual stuff like wear, patina etc.

[wendy177]

Oceans I know nothing about my pram but love the look of the wicker & the design of the one your  dad is in!!!!