Here is a James Archer horse-wagon of the period (approx) 1870s onwards. The bold proclamation of the firm’s name is a forerunner of the ‘Eddie Stobart’ tradition of getting the name into the public’s mind. And it looks from the number painted at the top RHS of the front face of the box-part of the wagon, which may be “No.56” that the firm had a very respectable number of these wagons at its disposal.
Also disposed on the front face of the box portion of the wagon is (what I judge to be) the seat for the ‘wagon-man’ in charge of the horse, when the latter is not being led in the manner shown in the graphic “Local and Country Removals” (click here to go to that page).
Judging from the wheel-gear of this wagon, which appears to be smaller and perhaps intended for shorter-distance travel than those with larger wheels looking less like the wheel gear of a GWR station-porter’s trolley.
On the roof of the wagon there appears to be provision for some other, additional function, perhaps the carrying of further inventory? A peripheral ‘fence’ with a gap adjacent the driver. What is this for? Can anyone assist? Please email me via the ‘Contact’ page of this website.