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Page 12 The Antique Shoppe March, 2019
DOLL AND BABY CARRIAGES

By: Dorothea Killian

According to folk history, in 1733 the Duke of Devonshire inspired a Mr. Kent walking in the park pushing their buggies. It may bring to mind our modern day
to invent the baby carriage. As the story goes, while his family and nannies took preference for fancy cars which are not just good driving machines but are also
walks out of doors with his children, the younger of the Duke’s little ones often designed to impress other drivers. To students of popular cultural phenomena in
tired and needed to be carried. One problem, the littlest baby was already in arms. regard to antiques investing this trend begs the question, “Which items from each
This shortened the walks, and therefore also shortened the experience of fresh era are the investment grade identifiers of social status, that are holding value or
air and exercise. It’s been written that the Duke asked increasing in value now?”
a well known designer of gardens if he could create In both England and USA, a successful doll buggy
something to remedy his situation. William Kent is the manufacturing trend flourished circa the Gothic 1860-
garden designer historically credited with inventing 1875 and Victorian 1880-1895 eras. This manufacturing
the first wheeled baby carriage. What Kent created to industry supported thousands of jobs. A sample of
transport the Duke’s young babies during walks outside manufacturers of doll buggies were Ludlow Toy And
was actually a cup-shaped shell on wheels. The shell Manufacturing Co., Joel Ellis, Lloyds, Heywood, also
of woven wicker held the youngest children while the Wakefield, Gendron, Olli, and others. Some examples
nannies pulled them along. It’s been suggested that this are unmarked because they were sold with tags.
earliest invention, simple and similar to a pull-cart, Readers may find genuine antique doll buggies, made in
could be pulled by a human, a goat, or a dog. USA, England, and the Continent. Most are played with
Later developments created carriages able to be and in various states of good to poor condition. Expect
pushed instead of being pulled. Babies would ride more to pay anywhere from $75 for a doll buggy needing
safely lain down on their backs and facing up at the 1860s DOLL BUGGY — JOSEPH HANSOME PATENTED THE restoration up to $3,000 or more for a rare example in
adult who was pushing. Over time, carriages, also called HANSOME CAB DESIGN 1834 ( in a private collection) mint condition still sporting its original decor.
“prams” (short for perambulators), developed into a The Handsome Cab style, originally patented by
necessary object. By the time Queen Victoria bought Joseph Hansome circa 1834, is of interest in doll buggy
three prams a century after Kent’s invention, the form to doll expert Nancy Vanselow. She has seen many
evolved carriages were a necessity to British families doll buggies; prams, push-chairs, Go-baskets, and other
of wealth. Victoria and Albert were icons of fashion to design variations. Also of interest is a fringed Surrey
the English gentry. A fashion innovator, Victoria was style push chair buggy which is another charming style.
the first public personage known to have worn white Well cared for through generations, a few select genuine
at their wedding. It helped the carriage trade to have it examples of these two styles survive with their fabrics
known that the Queen had bought carriages. Catering and fringe, stenciling, leather work and metal parts
to the gentry, hand-built prams became ornate with intact and all original.
hoods of oil cloth, or leather, and interior padding. A doll collector may find doll buggies an interesting
Some even included a Persian rug on the floor. Pram addition to his or her collection. The knowledgeable
exteriors were often richly decorated, some having Nancy (nancyjvdolls@comcast.net) has been active
family crests embellishing their side walls. These LITHOGRAPHED AMERICAN MADE DOLL PRAM with the United Federation of Doll Collectors for
elaborately created prams were marketed with names several decades. Nancy has appraised dolls at several
suggesting royalty, such as the “Duchess” or “Prince” doll shows. She became interested in antique doll
models. Fancy prams became a status symbol of wealth and position in society buggies after finding one variation of a doll perambulator in her family’s attic.
while well-turned-out families went walking in the park. Nancy tells friends her interest was piqued when she discovered one certain
Later, fancy push-chairs were manufactured for toddler-size children who were antique Go-basket. It had originally been marketed to her ancestor by Marshall
able to sit up and look ahead when being pushed in the carriage. These push- Fields fifty years before. Written records tell us that the Go-basket design was
chairs were a precursor to modern day full-size baby strollers and also miniature inspired by a bird’s nest. A good condition example of an antique Go-basket can
sized strollers for dolls. Online a beautiful condition baby push-chair carriage hold a small child or a medium sized doll. Just right to wheel them around within
created in iron and velvet has been showing for sale at the asking price of $7,500. the home, or during family walks outside.
Doll baby carriages can be pricey as well, and are rarely found in excellent Over time, many variations of child perambulators were marketed, and
condition. Understandable when one considers how few have survived throughout almost from the start doll buggies could be bought as well. Both were
the centuries. For instance, remember, London was bombed during World War 2. constructed using varieties of wood, wicker, fabric, oil-cloth, leather, and
For various reasons common antique examples may become uncommon or even metal. As the trend matured in early nineteen hundreds USA even Sears
rare due to the ravages of time, critical events, and usage. Roebuck carried doll carriages in their catalogue. With so many being
Smaller prams and push-chairs were created and manufactured to manufactured by various makers, prices were more affordable to families of
accommodate dolls. It was inevitable that doll-sized prams and push-chairs were average income. Researching the vintage era, there are some twentieth century
invented and marketed so elder sisters could push their dolls alongside their doll buggies which are getting attention. Good condition examples can be
nannies who were pushing the girls’ baby sisters and brothers. Over time, doll found in Art Deco and mid-century Modern styles by Wyandotte and several
prams were given the affectionate other USA makers. Although not
nickname “doll buggies.” Store- antique, some vintage twentieth
bought fancy dolls and doll century vintage examples
buggies were mostly available to demonstrate an American
the wealthy because they were ingenuity regarding design
costly. And dolls were mostly and style. Many collectible
fragile, being constructed of examples can be found, some
porcelain and composite material. having lithography or decals,
They also were costumed in hand and exhibiting aerodynamics
sewn doll ensembles of fancy in design applications. The
fabrics and laces including smaller invention from across the ocean,
versions of real court attire. adapted and varied with new
People wanted a well-designed design styles over time, is also at
doll buggy, which would protect home on this continent within the
the fragile dolls while looking hearts of collectors as it had been
impressive to other families 1800s BABY BUGGY LISTED ONLINE FOR $7,500 SURREY DOLL BUGGY WITH FRINGE HOOD BY LUDLOW within the hearts of children.