Man Fly

Dimensions

Height: 

Length: 

Width: 3ft 1"

Full descriptiom

A pretty and unusual little carriage that looks to have been inspired in its design by a Brougham. It is fitted out like a full-size vehicle. This carriage has a curvaceous profile and an extended part at the front enabling the occupants to stretch their legs out straight. This extended part may be a slightly later addition to the original build as it is of a different construction and if one imagines the carriage without it, the profile is more harmonious. The way in which the front ‘box’ extends over the fifth wheel appears rather cumbersome. However, the upholstery is sinuous and correct throughout the interior, suggesting that the added box may have been a last-minute change to the design of this carriage.

Being a carriage for function rather than status, the body panels are not embellished in any way. It is rather plain. The doors are hung on three butt hinges and have plain T bar handles. The bottom profile of the doors curves upwards to the front, following the contours of the floor and allowing the carriage to be very close to the ground for easy access. They have sliding windows with frames covered in blue cloth. At the front of the carriage is a third fixed window.

Inside, this carriage is upholstered in blue box cloth. The sides are buttoned as are the seat cushions and seat back which also have a blue and gold seaming lace. The broadlace is rather pretty, in blue and gold with a foliate design. A blue mottled carpet covers the floor. The internal furniture is of bone. It was designed to be a comfortable carriage to ride in as on each side is a padded arm rest and the recess into the box at the front has a fitted cushion upon which the occupant could relieve their feet. Window sashes are made of the blue and gold broadlace with leather backing.

The wheels are 8 and 10 spoke Warner pattern with rubber tyres . The front wheels are on Collinge patent axles, the rear on common axles, which is curious and suggests the carriage has had some changes over the years. The rubber is missing from the nearside rear wheel, and in a fairly poor state on the other three wheels.

As with most surviving examples of the Man Fly, it is sprung on C springs to the front and back. They are of miniature proportions and support the body of the carriage via leather braces attached to plain dumb irons. Each spring only has a couple of leaves in its construction. Elliptic springs are fitted to the front alongside the C springs.

The carriage has a double perch. Both are compassed down to follow the shape of the underside of the carriage. At the front are attachments for a pair of shafts and a tiller so it can be pulled by both pony and a footman.

The carriage is painted black with red lining on the wheels and tiller.

This carriage has, until recently, been listed as an Invalid Carriage dating from the turn of the twentieth century. With the re-discovery of the Man Fly carriage type, this carriage was re-visited and re-assessed. With closer observation, it is now believed to date from around 1840, or certainly no later than this date. It has the classic attributes of a Man Fly with the single seat, fully enclosed body and a tiller. The undercarriage with a double perch and the style of the engraving on the axle caps also suggests an earlier date than circa 1900.

The Man Fly has an interesting foundation and may have been the only type of invalid conveyance family of carriages that was initially intended for an invalid. A John Erredge first mentions the Man Fly in 1862 when he recounted an incident from 1809: ‘during the erection of the stables (Royal Pavilion, Brighton) a carpenter named John Butcher accidently fell and injured himself. Upon his recovery, not being able to resume the heavy work of his trade, he constructed a machine of similar make to the Sedan Chair, and placed it upon four wheels. It was drawn by hand, in the same manner as Bath Chairs, while an assistant, when the passenger was heavy, pushed from behind. Its introduction was quite a favourite feature amongst nobility, and a second fly, in consequence, was soon constructed. These two vehicles were extensively patronised by the Prince of Wales and his noble companions’.

Their popularity grew and they soon became a public hire carriage transporting people from their hotel rooms to the baths of spa towns

Inscriptions

On the axle caps: J. WARD LONDON MANCHESTER ?

Condition report

This little carriage is in original untouched condition. The rubber tyres are in a sorry state having disintergrated. The paintwork seems good on the body but has been lost in significant areas on the wheels Inside the interior is intact but shows signs of moth damage and some mould growth. 

Access information

This Man Fly is in the care of the Tyrwhitt-Drake Carriage Museum

Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery

St Faith's Street, 

Maidstone 

ME14 1LH

http://museum.maidstone

Picture Credit

Maidstone Museum and Bentliff Art Gallery / Amy Bracey / Robert Lovell