Monthly Archive for May, 2010

A visitor writes:

I .  .  .   have a carriage made by O.W. Siebert Co. But have no idea how old it is can you help. Any info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

The carriage in question

is an beautiful example of prams made between WWI and WWII. This particular one appears to be doll-sized, but many, if not most, toy carriages of that time were virtually identical to their full-sized counterparts.

Deep-bodied prams like this one were meant to accommodate rather old children — sometimes up to five or six years old — who were thought to be less likely to climb or tumble out during the fresh air naps recommended by doctors of the era.  The extension panel that can be seen slightly folded out on the right would be lowered to allow a larger child’s legs to stretch out and make the interior more bed-like.

The “extra” handle that can be seen to the left allowed servants could carry the pram up and down stairs, one person to each end.  The main handle has another interesting feature (or so it seems to me from the photograph):  It appears to adjust up or down to allow it to “grow” with its child owner.

I suspect that this one dates from the early or mid-1930s.  Not only is it unusually beautiful, with the lovely two-tone shield motif, but Siebert’s springs are a much more graceful version than those typically seen on British prams, especially of the same type.  These curve under toward the center of the pram, and then over, the body attachment points, curling the opposite way from most.

Deep-bodied prams became uncommon by the start of WWII, and prams manufactured after the war were quite different in style, reflecting the enormous changes the war had wrought in Europe as well as within the United States.

Value, as I always point out, is difficult to determine for old prams, strollers, and carriages.  (Links below are worth reading if you are interested in this topic.)  This carriage, particularly if it is doll-sized, falls outside the scope of the ones I generally discuss on Pram Watch because of its interest to decorators, doll collectors, and others who may value it for its beauty, rather than because it has nostalgic value.  If the right buyer were found, its value might be quite high; as ever, finding the “right” buyer is the issue.  Unlike most vintage prams, this one might be best sold by a responsible auction house.

I would strongly recommend against any attempts to repair the hood, as doing so might reduce this pram’s historic value.  The marks of age are part of its charm, and are best honored and appreciated just as they are.

Related:  What Is My Stroller/Pram/Baby Carriage Worth? and What’s It Worth?  Part 2