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The Victoria is one of the most elegant of all carriages and it was extremely popular among well-to-do families. It is thought that the design originated in England in the middle of the 19th century and, perhaps, derives from the Phaeton built for King George IV (see George IV Phaeton). The Victoria could be horsed by either a single or a pair. It has only one seat for two passengers and a coachman's seat supported by iron work. Another version of this carriage, the Panel Boot Victoria, would have had a box-framed driver's seat, allowing for storage, and a straight dashboard in front of that seat.
It became very fashionable for ladies to be driven through the park in a carriage of this sort by a stylishly dressed private coachman. Though some question how popular the carriage was in America, it can not be argued that many a Victoria has survived over the years and can now be found in both private and museum collections.
This Victoria was built for William F. Burden, of New York City, by Brewster & Company in 1894.
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