Coupe

Description

Coupes are elegant town carriages driven by a coachman with one or two horses in English harness. They were favoured for evening trips in cool or bad weather, on social occasions such as concerts, theatre outings and the like. For use in fine, warm weather, a 'mylord' or a half enclosed victoria probably stood waiting in the coach house. The bodywork of this coupe is fitted, in the latest Paris carriage fashion, with narrow panels outlined in red, small leather mud flaps in front of the door handles and large flaps, also vertical, in front of the side windows. The interior furnishings are covered in beige woollen material and include a small folding emergency or child's seat, arm straps and a device for signalling to the coachman with a whistle and rubber bulb (the bulb and tube are missing). The doors bear the coat of arms of the La Roche family. Long, soft springs, solid rubber tyres and sealed, oil lubricated, Collings patented axles ensured a comfortable ride. The carriage was in regular use until 1930.