A Portland Cutter

c. 1880

A PORTLAND CUTTER SLEIGH (American, c. 1880) with side-by-side seating for two passengers. The seat is upholstered in buttoned maroon felt. The frame sits on slender runners supported by wood and iron stays. The body is painted black and the stays red, with black lining. This example is of lighter construction than usual, which indicates that it may have been used with a fast trotter. Sometimes these light Portlands were called Speeding Sleighs. It is done up in the bright Vanderbilt colors which were used on their sporting vehicles.

American, Portland, ME

iron

wood

felt

length = 72"

Gift of Countess Alice S. Hadik, 1975.

PSNC.11414