Featured Heywood baby carriage

Greetings!

The other day someone in our neighborhood decided to part with a Heywood baby carriage. Told me it had been in their family for the last 100 years or so. The thing that most impressed me about it besides the fact that it's practically 100% functional is how elegant it looked.

It came with an arm to support a parasol and not 1 but 2 parasols of different size.

So now I'd like to find out more about it. How old could it be? How rare? Anything interesting/unusual about this line of carriages or the company?

Thank you!

P.S. I can post more photos later tonight.

 

HeywoodWakefield produced wonderful wicker items.

Sewing stands, chairs, carriages, etc.

Hopefully this link will work.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heywood-Wakefield_Company

 

A few years ago....several really, that name brought a premium price.

Not so much anymore.

A few years ago, in Wakefield, Massachusetts where I live, I could've bought a carriage much like yours for $50 and passed.

The umbrella (if in as good condituon as it looks in your photo, is probably worth more than the carriage itself. It appears to be silk, which "melts"........deteriorates over the years.

Google antique carriage umbrellas to see what they are selling for today.

 

Edit button would not work, but I was going to add that I would've been reselling the carriage, not keeping it as a collector.

I have a "Shirley Temple" Heywood Wakefield doll carriage that I paid $75 for 25 years ago. I bought it because I collected dolls at the time, and it was the perfect display.

Dolls are no longer the huge "must have' that they once were. So no one is hunting down old carriages, be that they are for a baby like yours, or for dolls.

I also have a full size baby carriage....much more ornate than yours, not HW, but an absolute beauty, and older than yours.

I paid $600 25 years ago in Brimfield, Ma.

I plan on putting it in auction soon, and doubt it will even reach $200.

Nothing remains the same..............

 

It is beautiful.
I think early 20th century. Judy has given a wealth of information already. Here is something on the history of baby carriages:
http://fiveminutehistory.com/vintage-baby-carriers-of-bygone-times/

 

fantastic carriage ,a showpiece in its time, what stories it holds. Agree with all above, same over here with dolls,bears and old baby prams/carriages

 

It's fab, but now what to do with it...

 

I know that's right! It's even worse with 18th century furniture styles unless an outstanding example. Boomers are SHOCKED! and disappointed that the Queen Anne lowboy that they paid 10-20k back in the 70s-80s will be lucky to bring 5k today. Times change and so do tastes in fashion no matter the object or how coveted it once was.

 

Thank you all, especially Judy for all the info. I guess I won't be able to retire off of it.

At least one of the two umbrellas is indeed worn -- has tears -- and is discolored. Not sure if this is what you refer to as "melting".

I decided to try to open it all the way and lock it. I succeeded, so much so that I can't figure out how to close it now. The end of the curved metal rod that went through the top hole in the umbrella is now stuck in it and I am afraid to exert too much force. Or is this the only way to dislodge it? Or am I not seeing something obvious there?

 

Do you have a picture of the mechanism?
In an ordinary umbrella or parasol I would say, give it a little push to open up a bit more, that often dislodges the mechanism. But with antique, worn silk, and not knowing the mechanism....

 

Hi llyaz......."melting" silk is a term I've heard from dealers who have handled their share of silk items. I always thought it was a strange term, and googling does not bring it up. What I did find is that such deterioration is referred to as "shattered" silk.

It's always disturbing to come across a beautiful dress, umbrella, or any silk piece and see the damage.

AJ might have the answer to the mechanism........

You rescued a piece of history. It doesn't have to be worth a lot of money to appreciate it.

Enjoy it for as long as you own it.

 

Here we go, view top-down and bottom-up. So far no luck...

 

looks like you straighten the top mechanism in line with the white rod ...and slide the black handle down the rod.
maybe a little WD 40.....to help it slide..

 

Looks like that is it. The material on the inside looks fine, so I think you can push the black ring up a bit so there is room to straighten the rod.

 

komokwa so I think I did what you suggested and it worked so thank you!

So someone on another forum (also hoarders but of a different kind ) expressed interest in it. Not sure how serious he is but in either case I want to get an idea of how shipping of carriages is handled. I presume freight? FedEx/UPS usual suspects or other carriers better? Would they provide a container? If I know approximate dims and weight, how do I estimate the cost? Surcharges for fragile? How do I estimate the cost if I know the approx dims and weight?

Thank you!

 

@springfld.arsenal knows about shipping unusual sized items and can probably give you all the information you need.

 

If anyone on this forum is interested in acquiring this beautiful piece of history, please let me know. Based on the discussion in this thread, it seems to only make sense for East Coast folks who are relatively close to DC, since freight shipping is quite expensive (~100's of $) but I am open to all offers at his point. I can't really keep it long-term, it just takes way too much space in my small house.

I occasionally drive in various directions from DC for my son's soccer games so could potentially meet you half-way.

 

Why don't you put it in the marketplace of the forum as well, under sell:
https://www.antiquers.com/forums/sell.16/

 

I think it belongs in Spring's warehouse with the cannon. It would look cool, right?

 

I don't know but, as a furniture guy for many years which is kind of painful when it comes to shipping, the past 10 years or so uship.com has been the dominate player. Mostly small carriers that bid online for the shipment, very reasonable, they provide packing, blankets, etc and it's door to door.