Early mechanical carriages

A number of years ago I acquired a run of The Antiquary journal from the late 19th century. One of the articles in there, spread over several parts, appeals to my “steam punk” nature. In the volume for 1896 the title is Early Mechanical Carriages by Rhys Jenkins.

It is a series of descriptions of weird and quirky prototypes for vehicles, accompanied by woodblock prints from the seventeenth century through to the nineteenth century. I really doubt that man of these ever progressed beyond the drawing board phase and were ever built. They look like the entrants in a Victorian “Wacky Races” event.

Several years ago I offered the article on eBay, quite cheaply, thinking that people would be interested in buying it and framing the diagrams. Luckily it didn't sell and is still intact. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

 

An eastern antoninianus of Valerian I

Valerian I, antoninianus, Samosata mint, Göbl 1682e

I recently acquired this coin of Valerian I (253-60AD). Struck at the mint of Samosata (Samsat in Adiyaman province, southeastern Turkey) the reverse is quite clearly is referencing eastern events with two victories affixing a shield to a palm tree and with the legend VOTA ORBIS.

It may be marking the dedicatory vows anticipating the military campaign in the easy against the Sasanid ruler Shapur I, a campaign that was to end in disaster through the treachery of one of Valerian’s military commanders. Valerian was captured, in AD 260, by Shapur and was never to be seen alive again, having been reputedly killed, stuffed and used by the Sasanid ruler to mount his horse.

The capture of Valerian in 260 was seemingly the catalyst for a number of revolts right across the Roman empire that were to set the tone for the next fifteen years.