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• Auction House:
  Donington Auctions
• Sale Name:
  Collectors' Motorcycles, Cars & Horse Drawn Carriages - Featuring the Private Museum of Racing Driver Bryan Thomson
• Sale Date:
  20 Jun 2021 ~ 2pm (AEST)
• Lot #:
  66
• Lot Description:
  DEMAREST OF NEW YORK TWELVE SEAT WAGONETTE BREAK CIRCA 1880
  Aaron Demarest (1841-1908) was born in Nyack, New York and arrived in New York in 1855. A talented coachbuilder, he opened a factory in Park Place, soon after moving to larger premises at 628 Broadway and operating there until 1890, From 1890, Demarest operated more elaborate rooms at 335 Fifth Avenue. In 1873, Demarest and his business partner Gabriel Chevalier purchased the New Haven, Connecticut, firm of Lawrence, Bradley & Pardee from the sole remaining owner, William H. Bradley. Lawrence, Bradley & Pardee were successors of James Brewster, who arguably produced the finest American carriages of the mid nineteenth century. Under Demarest, their Chapel Street factory grew to employ over 100 workers before closing down in 1916 when Demarest halted all carriage production and concentrated on building automobile bodies in New York City instead. In 1894, Demarest suffered a major fire at their premises and news reports illustrate the standing that the company enjoyed: 'Many Fine Carriages Burned ñ Hotel Waldorf's Guests Watch a Fire in the Demarest Carriage Warehouse - The guests of the Hotel Waldorf were aroused from their sleep at 3:30 o'clock yesterday morning by the clattering of fire engines in Fifth Avenue and Thirty-third Street, and when they looked out upon Fifth Avenue they saw the carriage warehouse of A.T. Demarest was in flames. For two hours or more they watched the flames with interest. The Demarest building is a five-story brick structure, across the avenue from the Waldorf, at the northeast corner of Thirty-third Street and Fifth Avenue. It is used chiefly as a storage house for carriages. The top floor, where the fire started, was used as a repair shops, and the paints, oils, varnishes, and seasoned wood stored there furnished fuel for a fire that illuminated Fifth Avenue for many blocks....There were over 200 vehicles of all kinds, valued at $150,000, in the building. In the repair shop were twenty fine carriages. Most of these were entirely destroyed and the fire extended to the fourth floor'. The stunning Wagonette break would have been among the finest of the luxury carriages built by Demarest, requiring exceptional finishes and needing to be drawn by a team of four horses. Coach and Break driving was a popular pastime for wealthy New Yorkers in the late nineteenth century, who would meet in Central Park for drives through the park's broad lanes, often finishing with an elaborate picnic or a luncheon. Much attention was given to the immaculate presentation of carriage, horses, harness and the personal appearance and dress of the passengers. Four in hand driving has enjoyed a resurgence of interest internationally and enthusiasts' field private coaches and drags, resplendent with carefully trained horses, highly polished harness and correct period dress. This vehicle has undergone a meticulous restoration to all departments and would be perhaps the finest example of the design in Australia. The seating is trimmed in tan Bedford cloth, and the carriage is beautifully painted in maroon and black. Fitted with beautiful pair of nickel plated lamps and nickel plated bronze cup caps signed by the maker. Ready to drive and of obvious first quality, this would not be out of place in traditional driving events in Britain or America. A suitable four in hand harness is offered as a separate Lot.
• Estimate:
  A$46,000 - 50,000
• Realised Price:
  $0.00
• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.