Saturday, November 13, 2010

Vintage Rocking Horse

This rocking horse was the first toy I found at an antique show last weekend. Although its design is quite simple (just a flat wooden cut-out horse, like those used on shoofly rockers), it has a certain primitive charm, and it's in amazing condition with all of its printed detail still intact.


The horse measures 35 inches long, including the rockers, and was made in the 1930s by Mengel Playthings of Louisville, Kentucky. The company was originally a manufacturer of playground equipment, but they became famous for a Lone Ranger's Silver rocking horse they produced in the late 1930s. 


8 comments:

  1. I purchased one of these rocking horses but not as good shape as this one but still nice. What do you think the value of yours is?

    Thanks love all the info and this is the only place i could find anything on your little rocker!

    PJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! It does appear to be a rather scarce horse: this was the only 1 I'd ever seen. He was valued at $75-100. In poorer condition, I'd guess about $45-65, depending on the damage.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi,
    Do you sell the pieces you find? If so, how much is this rocking horse going for?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, sometimes, but I'm afraid this one isn't available. I've seen a couple of others since I found this one, and they're generally priced around $65-75.

      Delete
    2. I bought one of these in near mint condition. Purchased it from the owner when he was 54 yrs old. He was born in 1938. He told me the rocking horse was purchased for him before he was born, by his parents. He never liked it, thus it's great condition. Mine has red rockers and red handles. The rest is like yours.

      Delete
  4. Bonesy...can you post a few pics of yours. I want to see the original colors as I know that the rockers were never originally green or white as some are online.

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. My horse has green paint also. It is original. I bought it from the original owner. He never altered it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. These horses could have different colors than mine, and different color patterns. Each was painted by hand.

    ReplyDelete