Carriages 1750

This is an etching of carriages made by Charles Crace in 1787. It shows a very clear image of the fashionable way to travel in England at that time. Carriages were not simply a means of getting from A to B; they were potent symbols of status and taste. Consider the expense and expertise required to produce and maintain such vehicles, the teams of horses to draw them, the liveried staff, and the road tolls to be paid. The etching, published according to an Act of Parliament, underscores the legal framework that governed their design and operation. The style and accouterments would have been closely scrutinized within polite society, and were reflective of the hierarchies of social class. The contrast between those who could afford such luxury, and the vast majority who walked or relied on public transport, was stark. Understanding the design and use of carriages requires documentary research into contemporary fashion, trade, and transport regulations, revealing much about the social fabric of 18th century England.