Henry Woodiwiss

Limited time period offered for this item now at £1,500 start price. Victorian/Edwardian Governess Cart made by Henry Woodiwiss A very rare piece of Equestrian and Livery history This particular Governess car is in very good, original un-restored, useable condition but unfortunately, the small access door is missing. This item is situated on a farm in Cheshire. Viewing is recommended and welcome by appointment. A Governess Car c1890 - 1907, made by Henry Woodiwiss the Victorian horse drawn Carriage Builder of Bakewell, Derbyshire, whom, at some point in time, formed a partnership with the 'KItchener Livery Company' of Cheltenham, to become 'Kitchener Woodiwiss', who went on to build coachwork bodies for Rolls Royce Motor Cars in the 1930's, namely the 20 - 25, 4 door tourer by Kitchener Woodiwiss. The hub caps on this Governess Cart for sale here today, still bear the name, 'Woodiwiss of Bakewell', Derbyshire, England. The 'Woodiwiss' name can be traced back to the Norman conquest of Britain. More in depth detail: A genuine rare original WOODIWISS Governess Car (c 1890 to 1907) built by Henry Woodiwiss, of Bakewell, Derbyshire, England. This Governess Car is manufactured by Mr Henry Woodiwiss, whom started out as wheelwrights, later becoming carriage and coachbuilders based in Bakewell, Derbyshire, England. At some point in time he may have merged with the Kitchener Livery Stables from Cheltenham and became Kitchener Woodiwiss coach builders as a limited company. "K W Bodies Ltd of Blackpool also known as Kitchener & Woodiwiss who evolved from wheelwrights into carriage builders" In 1905 the following sale of a Charabanc built by Henry Woodiwiss was recorded: Sale of Charabanc called "The King" built by Henry WOODIWISS of Bakewell. Sold by Isaac Gaunt HOLMES of Bakewell to Samuel and Joseph BRADBURY cab proprietors of Bakewell for £50. 1905 V100a2/33 or PSV & HGVs such as Commer Avengers & Seddon MK 4s". By the 1930's Kitchener & Woodiwiss were building coachwork bodies for Rolls Royce cars eg: The 1933 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Four-Door Tourer, coachbuilder: Kitchener & Woodiwiss Other information about the Woodiwiss family connections in Derbyshire: The Woodiwiss family had strong historical connections with Victorian Derby, providing two former Mayors and playing a major part in the development of railways in the region. Sir Abraham Woodiwiss, a Duffield stone merchant’s son, was Mayor from 1880-82. His son Abraham Junior, was Mayor from 1888-89 and 1901-02. Sir Abraham Woodiwiss was the partner of George Benton in a company which constructed bridges, railways and a variety of buildings that included the Strand located in the City Centre Conservation Area. About the governess cart concept: The 'Governess car' or 'cart' or 'tub cart' was a preferred choice of transport by Victorian & Edwardian governesses or tutors. Mainly because of its safety record, due to its low centre of gravity of the 'tub' which sat low between the wheels, which made it difficult to overturn or capsize. The other benefit was its lightweight structure and it was marketed as such "that even a lady could harness and operate it" or words to that effect. Early Origins of the Woodiwiss family: The surname Woodiwiss was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor. The Saxon influence of English history diminished after the Battle of Hastings in 1066.