1862 London Exhibition: Catalogue: Class VI.: Hooper and Co
1383. HOOPER and CO., 28 Haymarket.
A light 'Sefton' landau, with improved flat-falling head; an improved light 'Craven' barouche, on C- and under-springs.
Obtained Prize Medal of the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Hooper and Co., Her Majesty's Coach-Builders, exhibit:
1. A light and elegant Craven ' Barouche, hung on under — and C-springs, with a perch of improved construction, made of wood so connected with iron by rivets and hammered edges, as to act on the principle of a tube with a wooden centre, combining lightness with greatly increased strength and safety. By the construction of the body, the commodious folding steps are so placed as not to be seen above the panels, thus enabling the latter to be made of a more than usually light and elegant form. It is also suspended at such a distance from the ground as to protect the occupants from the dust of the road. By the improvements introduced in the general construction of the individual and combined parts, and by the use of very tough steel instead of iron, where practicable, the utmost strength with the minimum of weight is obtained. The carriage is an example of the most recent improvements and combinations to effect elegance, lightness, and ease.
2. A light pair-horse 'Sefton' Landau.— The improvements are on the same principle as those of the barouche before described; a careful combination of details giving the utmost strength and durability, combined with lightness. The drawbacks hitherto considered inseparable from landaus (weight, and partial opening of the head), are overcome in the carriage exhibited. The head, by a very simple and efficient method of construction, is made to open as flat as a barouche, thus forming, when open, almost as airy a carriage, and when closed, a comfortable family carriage, equally adapted for London or country use. Being furnished with covered steps as a brougham, it can be used with or without a footman.
3. A series of Carriage Drawings, coloured an 1 drawn by J. Gilfoy from the original designs (to the scale of 0.75 of an inch to the foot) of George N. Hooper, are an illustration of the combined efforts of the artist and practical constructor.
4. Medallions of English and foreign heraldry, applicable to dress carriages; also illustrations of the present fashion of grouping monograms, cyphers, coronets, crests, etc. , for small carriages.
Mr. HOOPER was the Reporter to the Society of Arts for Carriages at the Paris Exhibition, 1855.
The firm of HOOPER and Co. was the first to introduce the C-spring Brougham on wrought iron perch, and for which a Prize Medal was awarded in 1851. The improved system of construction thus shown to be practicable has not only been generally adopted in England and the continent of Europe, but has completely altered the principle of constructing most modern carriages since 1851, greatly diminishing their weight and cost, and increasing their ease.
The regular importation of the celebrated American light hickory wheels for broughams and other light carriages, was first begun by this firm, as was also the application of photography for illustrating private carriages.
HOOPER and Co. manufacture carriages of the kinds named in the accompanying list, many of which are kept in an advanced state for finishing at short notice to a choice of colour, for purchase, job, or job with option to purchase (to estimate if required): —
- Town coaches.
- Do. landaus.
- Do. chariots.
- Barouches.
- Driving coaches.
- Light do.
- Omnibuses for private use.
- Barouche landaus.
- Sociable do.
- Sefton do.
- Elcho do.
- Sociables.
- Pony sociables.
- Light barouches.
- Single broughams.
- Double do.
- Segmental do.
- Miniature broughams with hickory wheels.
- C-spring broughams.
- Brakes.
- Waggonettes.
- Mail phaetons.
- Sporting do.
- Light road do.
- Dog-cart do.
- Stanhope do.
- T carts.
- Tilbury and Spider phaetons.
- Cab do.
- Park do.
- Cabriolets.
- Gigs.
- Dog-carts.
- Sleighs.
Dress carriages, and carriages for special purposes, are built to the order of persons who require them. In these cases small drawings to scale are made, and also full-sized working drawings when necessary.
The stock of second-hand carriages consists of sound modern ones of their own build (some but little used), together with a few by the best London builders.