The New London Royal Mail Coach. Large reproduction print.

by Hunt, C.

The New London Royal Mail – Commenced Running January 1st, 1836. Coaching print reproduced from an engraving, drawn and engraved by Charles Hunt, published by B. Moss and Company in 1851. A privileged well-born young man appears to be asking the coachman for a chance to take the ribbons. Passenger conversation is lively, and a fashionable lady and gentleman who are promenading, admire the coach as it passes. Mail coaches were built by John Vidler to a design approved by the Post Office, and he was responsible for maintenance and repair – for which the Post Office paid him 2,000 pounds a year.

The scarlet coats of coachman and guard match the immaculate mail coach Number 3 with VR on its front boot, (inaugurated a year after Queen Victoria came to the throne), as it passes through English countryside on the London to Liverpool Royal Mail run. As they were not post office employees, coachmen did not usually wear red coats, but once a year on the Sovereign’s birthday, a parade of mail coaches was held in London, and on these occasions coachmen were issued with red coats. They were issued also in recognition of coachmen’s long service.

Vintage coaching print with slight age-discolouration/foxing. Image size: 295 x 468mm (11 5/8 x 18 4/8 inches). Page size: 380 x 510mm (13 1/2 x 20 inches).