Anyone ever seen a Chapman's wagon plate?

[Russell Brown]

Various sources that talk about the activities of the Chapman Wagon builders/wheelwrights of Bridge House, Bridge St mention that they used to fit a brass manufacturers plate to their wagons.

Has anyone ever seen one? or even better... does anyone one know where one might be obtained?

It would be lovely to 'repatriate' one to its original source.

[Rob. M]

Various sources that talk about the activities of the Chapman Wagon builders/wheelwrights of Bridge House, Bridge St mention that they used to fit a brass manufacturers plate to their wagons.
Has anyone ever seen one? or even better... does anyone one know where one might be obtained?
It would be lovely to 'repatriate' one to its original source.

The Museum of Rural Life based at University of Reading has a collection of  carts and may have useful leads.  http://www.reading.ac.uk/merl   The Shire Horse Society might also have leads. Hard to find a surviving makers plate; casting a replica might be easier! Could there be niche collectors of farm cart makers plates? There are several societys for model wagon builders and model wheelwrights. Also a large collection of model carts at Snowshill Manor in the Cotswolds. Seem to recall a traditional farm cart in a barn near Cotterstock - a Chapman?
 

[Charlie]

The name was nearly always cast into the brass hub caps also and these turn up frequently at autojumbles and antique fairs. There were some at Beaulieu last week end but none with Chapman. I keep looking!