Beekman Family Coach

ca. 1770

Place madeEngland, Europe

Wood (ash and spruce by analysis), iron, leather

Overall: 8 ft. 2 in. × 13 ft. 5 in. × 52 in. (248.9 cm × 4 m 8.9 cm × 132.1 cm)

Gift of Gerard Beekman

1911.25

With its luxurious enclosed body and accommodation for liveried driver and footman, the horse-drawn coach was the prestige vehicle of the eighteenth century. New York merchant James Beekman acquired this coach in 1771. It was the crown jewel in his fleet of carriages that already included a chaise, chariot, and phaeton. Beekman's account book records that he purchased the coach for £138, and made additional expenditures for painting the family arms on the doors and varnishing the surface.

DescriptionDoor panels and the front and the rear of the body bear the Beekman coat-of-arms.
ProvenanceDonor is great-grandson of the Honorable James Beekman

ClassificationsTRANSPORTATION TOOLS & EQUIPMENT

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