Harry Piers: Museum Maker

Notes from Piers Accession Book: Photograph of Drag or Four-in-hand Coach, called “The Canterbury Coach”, of English type, belonging to John R. Bothwell, president of the Halifax Street Railway Company, who then resided at Halifax. The coach is shown standing at the Young Gates, Point Pleasant Park, Halifax, June, 1887.

Built for Mr. Bothwell, February to 24 June 1887, by John M. DeWolfe of DeWolfe's Carriage Factory, corner of Robie and West Street, North West Common, Halifax, for $1,375, plus a new coach horn and leather case, $21.50. It was built from a picture of an English coach, supplied by Bothwell and his associate Jos. Gerard Partington and was a typical English "drag", and was finished in [best] green cloth and leather, with lunch box and basket, zinc-lined ice-box, walking-stick case, lamps, pole, 2 sets whiffletrees and bars, silver-plated mountings; "as per colored plate no. 3."

It remained in Halifax for only a few years, and then was shipped to St. John, New Brunswick, probably going to the U.S.A. (continued…)

View complete entry from the Harry Piers Accession Book

Date Accessioned: 27 August 1923

Reference: Harry Piers number 5308  Nova Scotia Archives Photograph Collection Transportation and Communication: Carriages