Built in 1848 by L. Downing & Sons, this coach was commissioned to haul mail and passengers in Northern Maine. Operated by "Robinson & Hale", as the names appear on the doors, its original route was Bangor- Machias & Calais. Other routes were also traveled, Bangor- Gardiner, Bangor-Bucksport, & Castine. These were found on the head rail during the paint stripping and restoration.

The retirement date of the stagecoach isn't known as yet or how it wound up on a farm in New Hampshire. It was found neatly wrapped in muslin, and buried under manure. An antique dealer had been called to the farm to give a bid on the remaining items of an estate sale in 1949. It was explained to him that the coach was known to be there when the farm was purchased in 1917. But nothing had ever been done with it. The dealer figured the value of whatever was left under a pile of manure as zero, added up his notes, and told the man what he would pay for the entire lot. The deal was made, the man walked away, and the dealer grabbed a shovel and started digging near the bottom of the pile.

After a little digging he struck something. It was a leather thoroughbrace! It was nearly on the dirt floor, which meant the wheels were off. He looked around and found an old wagon and what was left of the stagecoach wheels. In the next few days, with the help of his son, he uncovered the stagecoach and found it in surprisingly good condition. He moved it to Connecticut to see if he might do a trade. A deal was made to trade the coach for a rare old Packard Roadster, a Studebaker, two Model A's, and some cash.

The coach was then slowly stripped of its approximately 15 layers of paint. During this restoration, the different routes it had run were uncovered on the head rail...the colors, ornamentation and names were carefully documented by a series of black and white photos, so the colors had to be noted on all of them. While removing the paint on the body and running gear the dealer was amazed at the overall condition of the stagecoach. The muslin and manure seal had done a good job to preserve it. Original owners kept up the coach; the bolts were kept tight and the condition of the coach shows that it is still very tight.

Nearly fifteen artists were interviewed to put the ornamentation back on the body. Finally an artist was chosen and he worked for four and a half months using oil paints and the color notes to bring it back to its original splendor. The body was set back on the gear and covered up. There it sat for 45 years - in the back of an antique dealer's storeroom.

While researching the coach, and at the time needing new wheels, the search led the dealer to Concord, New Hampshire. Here he found Mr. Hoops, at an age of 94 and still running a forge, with the help of an assistant. Mr. Hoops said his company, which included his brother and a Mr. Darlington made the original wheels for Abbott-Downing. He then produced an old brochure showing that his company did indeed manufacture the stagecoach wheels. He cut off the worn spindles and forged on new ones to the old axles. Within 2 weeks Mr. Hoops had built new wheels with hickory felloes and spokes, each balanced to the next one with maple centers. These wheels are the last stagecoach wheels made by Mr. Hoops, an original craftsman from the 18th century. Mr. Hoops passed away shortly after the wheels were completed. The year was 1950.

Further researching of the history of the coach, the dealer contacted Ed Rowse from the East Coast, and Mr. Frank Newton Jr. from the West Coast, both noted stagecoach historians. The front of this coach is stamped with NV and can be seen under the driver's box on the body. The bottom of the jump seat is also stamped NV. The left door has a hand written signature and date. The conclusion is that NV is Roman Numeral for #5. And records indicate that L. Downing & Sons built it in 1848. The early coaches were built without brakes. This coach was returned to be outfitted with brakes and probably re-upholstered. At the time, the craftsman that had done the work signed the door; the name is E. Geldert and the date is 1854. Mr. Geldert worked initially for L. Downing in the 1850's and later for Abbott-Downing, and is listed in an 1864 directory. More research is being done through several areas and sources.

Continued research has shown that of the 117 known numbered original Concord coaches found in the world, there are only 8 known with roman numerals. Of these 8, this is the lowest known numbered coach, making this coach the earliest known surviving Light Concord Stagecoach by L. Downing & Sons, in the world.

The historians, museums, and serious collectors of the world consider this stagecoach priceless. With such a magnificent splendor, that, when on public display it draws serious attention from all that have the opportunity to see it. This coach is in such pristine condition that it could have a team of horses hitched to it and driven through the countryside. This truly is the premier, original stagecoach for any serious collection.

Neither words nor pictures can adequately describe the feeling one gets when sitting on the driver's box of this stagecoach.