Rocking horse
D. Sebes and Co. Ltd
Category
Toys
Date
circa 1968
Materials
Metal and rubber
Measurements
1005 mm (length); 550 mm (width); 885 mm (height)
Place of origin
New South Wales (Australia)
Order this imageCollection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 662286
Summary
A 'Mobo' horse called a 'Prairie King' suspended within a frame (circa 1968). 'Mobo Toys' were made by D. Sebel & Co., Erith, Kent, England from 1947 to 1972. The owner named the horse 'Smokey'. The donor states that 'Belonged to Dianne (born 1966) Reid Nee Adams as a child. Bought by parents (Mrs Adams) in Manchester (possibly Kendals) in about xmas/Jan 1968. Dianne was then about 18 months - 2 years old - had to be held on horse at first. Then lent to Dianne's nephew and played with by Beverley (Dianne's daughter) (born 1989). Dianne called horse 'Smokey'. It has an all-metal body painted white with dark grey patches and hooves. A red saddle and gold harness are all moulded in the metal body. There is a steel rod going through the head from side to side to act as a handgrip. On the left side is a brown (probably discoloured white) rubber handgrip. That on the right side is missing. A longer rod with white rubber grips at each side under the horse's body acts as a footrest. The frame in which it is suspended is made of steel tubing painted red, with black rubber caps on the ends of the tubes. Metal rods pass through the hip and shoulder joints, and the outer ends of these rods are joined by four coil springs to the frame.
Marks and inscriptions
On very worn transfer: on horse's chest: D.SEB[ES AND C]O LTD./ MOBO/ PRAIR[]
Makers and roles
D. Sebes and Co. Ltd, manufacturer