Portland Cutter

This Portland Cutter by an unknown builder is a typical example of the type. A characteristic of the Portland style is the sharp angle at the bottom of the back of the body, followed by an elegant curve up to the top. Peter Kimball and his sons—notably Charles Porter Kimball of Portland, Maine—developed the Portland cutter, which was probably the most popular one-horse open sleigh in the mid-1800s. Fancy cutters trimmed with silk and silver cost about one hundred and fifty dollars. By 1910 plain cutters were available in the $20 range.