Hitchings circa 1880
This pram has also gone off to London for filming in period drama
This beautiful pram was purchased a few years ago....as a wreck!..
we travelled to Settle in North Yorkshire to collect her...my husband favours this era of pram, and he decided it would be a labour of love..we wanted her ready for Onslow in August of 2009..
I know all the history of this pram, she was purchased by the Dawson family who owned and still own Langcliffe Hall they were property people and Langcliffe Hall was there weekend retreat..thus this Hitchings was purchased in London and delivered to the House.
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Hitchings were one of the top pram makers of the century, and they commisioned two of there prams to royalty, Queen Victoria being one followed by a long line of Royals.
She had three coats of paint on the wooden body black navy and deep red!...the hours my husband spent removing this was unbelievable..then all the prep of sanding....i was so proud of his achievments, he photographed every part of the restoration, he kept all the interior lining, and refitted the upholstery himself! the large wheel measures 29 inches! and these were all good...just thick with paint, they were sandblasted, and repainted at a very well known aircraft company!!
the two large tyres were still in situ:, so my good friend Ruud in Holland, supplied me with the two small tyres....and they look magnificent....all the metal fittings are brass, and were gently buffed and polished, by hubby again...
my dear friend Pat[Classycanopies] receoverd the hood....no aprons in those days..
in fact i doubt whether this pram was ever pushed out, just used by nanny i would think, for the garden...
She was a dream to push at Onslow, even on the grass, very bouncy...that is down to my straps, love a pram that moves on the straps! cannot wait to get her out for the forthcoming Pram Society events for this year.
we travelled to Settle in North Yorkshire to collect her...my husband favours this era of pram, and he decided it would be a labour of love..we wanted her ready for Onslow in August of 2009..
I know all the history of this pram, she was purchased by the Dawson family who owned and still own Langcliffe Hall they were property people and Langcliffe Hall was there weekend retreat..thus this Hitchings was purchased in London and delivered to the House.
.
Hitchings were one of the top pram makers of the century, and they commisioned two of there prams to royalty, Queen Victoria being one followed by a long line of Royals.
She had three coats of paint on the wooden body black navy and deep red!...the hours my husband spent removing this was unbelievable..then all the prep of sanding....i was so proud of his achievments, he photographed every part of the restoration, he kept all the interior lining, and refitted the upholstery himself! the large wheel measures 29 inches! and these were all good...just thick with paint, they were sandblasted, and repainted at a very well known aircraft company!!
the two large tyres were still in situ:, so my good friend Ruud in Holland, supplied me with the two small tyres....and they look magnificent....all the metal fittings are brass, and were gently buffed and polished, by hubby again...
my dear friend Pat[Classycanopies] receoverd the hood....no aprons in those days..
in fact i doubt whether this pram was ever pushed out, just used by nanny i would think, for the garden...
She was a dream to push at Onslow, even on the grass, very bouncy...that is down to my straps, love a pram that moves on the straps! cannot wait to get her out for the forthcoming Pram Society events for this year.