William Felton (coachmaker)

Illustrations from Treatise on Carriages book

William Felton was a London coachmaker from 36 Leather Lane in Holborn, and 254 Oxford Street near Grosvenor Square, and noted for his 1796 illustrated two-volume book, A Treatise on Carriages; comprehending Coaches, Chariots, Phaetons, Curricles, Gigs, Whiskies, &c Together with their Proper Harness in which the Fair Prices of Every Article are Accurately Stated.[1]

In the introduction, Felton wrote that he had no literary pretensions, but rather that his aim was to produce an authoritative guide to the construction, maintenance and repair of horse-drawn coaches. The Monthly Review agreed that it was not a literary masterpiece, but praised it for its encyclopaedic treatment of the subject.[2] The Sporting Magazine in its sixth issue was equally complimentary about Felton's Treatise.[3]

In the 1806 publication "A List of Bankrupts with their Dividends and Certificates, &c. &c. for the last Twenty Years and Six Months from January 1, 1786 to June 24, 1806 inclusive", William Felton's name is entered on 3 December 1803.[4] The 1823 edition of "Kent's Original London Directory" lists W. J. Felton of 6 Long Acre Street as being a coachmaker.[5]

  1. ^ Felton 1796.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference griffiths was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference sporting was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ A List of Bankrupts 1786-1806. London: William Smith & Co. 1806. p. FEN.
  5. ^ Kent's Original London Directory (91 ed.). London: H. K. Causton. 1832. p. 118.