Exceptional private collection of 45 historic carriages and coaches offered at auction

The collection brings together rare British, French, American and continental European vehicles from a variety of periods and styles, ranging from elegant private and sporting carriages to large coaches, hunting vehicles and historically significant museum-quality pieces. Many have been carefully restored, while others have deliberately been preserved in their original condition. Several lots are accompanied by extensive documentation detailing their provenance, restoration history and historical use.

Exceptional lots with remarkable provenance

One of the most notable lots is a late 18th-century High Flyer Phaeton. It is believed that only a handful of original examples of this exceptionally tall and early type of carriage have survived. The carriage is associated with the Armytage and Harbord families and bears their combined heraldry. It is estimated at €100,000–€180,000.

Another historically significant vehicle is a Calèche / Barouche attributed to Emperor Napoleon III, built around 1870 by the renowned Parisian coachbuilder Ehrler. The carriage still bears the imperial monograms and accompanying documentation links it to events following Napoleon III’s defeat at Sedan during the Franco-Prussian War.

The collection also includes an important group of carriages associated with Hugh Lowther, 5th Earl of Lonsdale, better known as the ‘Yellow Earl’. Lonsdale was renowned for his passion for horses, driving, hunting and sport, as well as the distinctive yellow livery he used for his carriages. Several vehicles in the auction were built by renowned makers such as H.A. Hamshaw and Barker & Co., including a rare Lonsdale Wagonette and an imposing Body Break.

Prestigious European and American coachbuilders

The auction also features work by some of the most respected historic coachbuilders of their time. Among them is a Brewster & Co. Built-up Break, built in New York in 1898 and extensively restored by specialist carriage restorer Stolk. During the Gilded Age, Brewster was one of America’s leading carriage builders and later became closely associated with the production of luxury automobile coachwork. The carriage is estimated at €75,000–€120,000.

Other prominent names represented in the collection include Holland & Holland, Guiet & Co., Mühlbacher, Peters & Sons, Thrupp & Maberly, Studebaker, Demarest, Vanden Plas and J. Rothschild & Fils. This variety underlines the international character of the collection and illustrates the evolution of carriage design across Europe and North America.

A Private Road Coach by Guiet & Co. of Paris, extensively equipped with luggage compartments, folding furniture, tableware and picnic accessories, is estimated at €80,000–€120,000. An iconic Hansom Cab by Thrupp & Maberly, the renowned London coachbuilder that later also became known for luxury automobile coachwork, is estimated at €45,000–€78,000.

More than a carriage collection

In addition to the full-size vehicles, the auction includes an extensive selection of carriage-related items, including harness, historic lamps, horns, scale models, engravings, equestrian art and memorabilia.

International audience

The auction is aimed at private collectors, carriage driving enthusiasts, museums, heritage institutions, dealers, restorers and professional buyers worldwide.

The complete auction catalogue is now available online via this link.