ARL Collectables
L17 The London Improved Cab Company
The London Improved Cab Company Limited Share Certificate number 587 for 10 x £1 shares dated 1897, blue on white with attractive border and left margin. Good very fine.
This company was first registered in 1887 and operated till May 1934.
The history of the London taxi dates back to 1639 when the Corporation of Coachmen obtained a licence to ply for hire in London. The first coaches are thought to have been second hand two seaters drawn by a single horse. The majority of the horses were of a breed called Hackneys hence the term "Hackney Cab". The first London horseless carriage taxi was introduced by Walter C. Bersey, General Manager of the London Electric Cab Company of Juxon Street, Lambeth on 19th August 1897. As the company name suggests the cabs were battery operated and had 3½ horsepower Lundell motors and electric lights inside and out. The first petrol driven cab licensed for use in London was in 1903 and was a French built Prunel operated by the Express Motor Service Company. In 1906 the Metropolitan Police drew up design and construction regulations including the famous 25ft turning circle. By 1914 there were 8397 motorised cabs on London Streets with 45 different manufacturers having had designs approved. One popular make in the first quarter of the 20th century was an other French design the 2 cylinder Unic, which was imported by Mann & Overton. In 1946 the last horse-cab was withdrawn from service and driver handed in his licence in 1947.
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