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Thomas Ricketts steam carriage, 1860 (1956)
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Thomas Ricketts steam carriage, 1860 (1956)
Thomas Ricketts steam carriage, 1860 (1956). Rickett, a Birmingham maker of agricultural implements, built a steam-powered plough in 1858. This prompted the Marquess of Stafford to ask him to build a steam carriage for him. A second example was ordered by James Sinclair, Earl of Caithness (one of the passengers in the photograph) in 1860. Sinclair drove the carriage 146 miles from Inverness to Barrogill Castle, north of Wick. Rickett advertised his carriages in The Engineer magazine at a price of £ 180-£ 200, but no more are believed to have been ordered. A print from Things, a volume about the origin and early history of many things, common and less common, essential and inessential, by Readers Union, the Grosvenor Press, London, 1956
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Media ID 14949465
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Contraption Invention Passenger Passengers Print Collector11 Sinclair Steam Steam Car Steam Carriage Steam Engine Steam Power Travelling Vehicle Earl Of Caithness Motor Car
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a remarkable invention of the 19th century - the Thomas Ricketts steam carriage. In 1860, Thomas Ricketts, a skilled maker of agricultural implements from Birmingham, was commissioned by the Marquess of Stafford to build this innovative vehicle. The success of his earlier steam-powered plough had caught the attention of many, including James Sinclair, Earl of Caithness. The photograph showcases one such steam carriage in action with passengers on board. It is believed that James Sinclair himself can be seen driving the carriage during its impressive journey from Inverness to Barrogill Castle in Scotland - a distance spanning an incredible 146 miles! This pioneering mode of transportation offered an exciting glimpse into the future possibilities of road travel. Rickett's carriages were advertised in The Engineer magazine at a price range between £180 and £200, but unfortunately, no further orders are known to have been placed. Nevertheless, this image serves as a testament to Rickett's ingenuity and contribution to early automotive history. The monochrome aesthetic adds a touch of nostalgia and authenticity to this snapshot from the past. It not only highlights technological advancements but also features both men and women enjoying this new form of transport together - breaking traditional gender roles associated with motoring at that time. This print offers us a fascinating glimpse into Victorian-era innovation while reminding us how far we have come in terms of transportation technology today.
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