From its ivory escutcheons and silver gilt lamps to yellow japanned doors painted with the Order of the Garter crest and the Vane-Tempest-Stewart family arms, it demonstrates coach building at its finest.
It was built for the Londonderry family c.1870-95 by the famous firm of Hooper & Co. of London. They were the makers of carriages for the Royal family and the City of London who later evolved to build bodies for luxury motorcars.
Little is known of the carriage's precise history, although it is thought to have been used at the 1911 Coronation of George V and by the 7th Marquess on important occasions before 1939. It has been in storage for many years in Stockton on Tees and has survived in superb, original condition.
Specialist horse-drawn carriage auctioneers Thimbleby & Shorland of Reading, Berkshire believe the carriage is a potential record breaker and on September 6 expect it to exceed the £68,000 they achieved for a travelling barouche by Davis of London sold as part of the George Shaw collection in June 2004.
Contact 0118 950 8611.
