In the 1870s, baby carriages were becoming more popular items for Victorian baby care; as seen in this ad, the Hodgson brothers were not making these for their customers, but stocking standard carriages aimed at the general public.
Baby carriages typically mimicked the shapes of adult-sized carriages, and were made of wood or wicker with cushions inside the bed. Some came with an attached cover while others installed a parasol over the cushioned bed for the child.
Fancier models could be custom ordered. These more elaborate baby carriages were constructed as though they were miniature horse-drawn carriages, complete with glass windows, lanterns that held candles, and a suspension system intended to smooth the ride. An elaborate baby carriage was also a status symbol for the Victorian mother, a symbol that still exists today.
Learn More:
- Southern Watchman, Mar. 1871 - Dec. 1873 on Microfilm in the Heritage collection.
- The Carriage Maker's and Painter's Guide by G. W. Clark via Archive.org.
- The Golden Age of Carriages by Anne Katherine Brown on the Victoriana magazine website.
- The Victorian Nursery Book by Antony and Peter Miall in the general collection.
- "This is How We Roll" by Faye Penn in New York magazine via GALILEO. (call 706-613-3650 for password)
- The Victorian Home in America by John Maass in the general collection.
- Wanderlust: The History of Walking by Rebecca Solnit in the general collection.
- The Encyclopedia of the Victorian World by Melina Corey in the Reference and general collections.
- "Stroller Envy Hits the Streets" by Adrianne Pasquarelli in Crain's New York Business via GALILEO. (call 706-613-3650 for password)
- The Victorian Home: The Grandeur and Comfort of the Victorian Era by Ellen M. Plante in the general collection.
- Parenting, Inc. by Pamela Paul in the general collection.
- "Have Baby, Will Travel" by Kim Schworm Acosta in Fit Pregnancy magazine via GALILEO. (call 706-613-3650 for password)
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