Rocking horse
Category
Toys
Date
c. 1950 - c. 1959
Materials
Wood, aluminimum, paint, rubber, leather and electrical flex
Measurements
1450 mm (Height)
Place of origin
Derbyshire
Collection
Sudbury Hall Museum of Childhood, Derbyshire
NT 672495
Summary
An electrically powered solo ride rocking horse – ‘The Galloper’- made by Bryan’s of Kegworth, Derbyshire. Made of cast aluminium and wood, the horse has a trapezoid shaped base which houses its motor. The two long sides of the base are decorated in paint with a picture of a horses’ head and a horse shoe. The words ‘THE GALLOPER’ are painted in black and yellow letters, with ‘GALLOPER’ on a red banner background. The two smaller sides of the base are also decorated with the picture of a horses’ head and horse shoe. The side at the front end of the horse has ‘The GALLOPER’ painted in black letters while the side at the rear is signed ‘Ricky Liles’. On the top of the base there are two strips of rubber, one on either side of the horse which run the length of the long side of the base and are designed to assist when a user is mounting the horse. Two metal pivots are located in a slot on the top of the base and the rocking horse is attached at its front and rear ends to these pivots which provide the rocking movement when the horse is operational. Between the two pivots there are two metal foot rests, one on either side of the horse and these are covered in rubber. The horse itself is painted white with brown patches and has a red and green saddle. A set of leather reins are attached to either side of the horses’ nose by a metal ring. At the front of the base on its left hand side there is a green painted metal sign that has instructions on how to mount and operate the horse and below the instructions there is a red and silver logo for ‘Bryan’s’. On the side of this sign there is a coin slot where coins to operate the horse can be inserted; above the slot ‘20p’ is painted in white. There is a white label under the coin slot on which is printed in red ‘1 * 20p PER GAME’. Above the coin slot there is a small metal arm which can be moved to select the speed at which the toy operates. The arm is marked with four speed settings: ‘STOP, ROCK, GALLOP and HUNT’. The toy has an electric power lead and plug attached and there is a white label on the front of the base, under the horses’ front hooves on which ‘N37’ is printed.
Provenance
Originally manufactured by Bryan's of Kegworth, Debyshire circa 1950's. Purchased by the National Trust Museum of Childhood on 10th March 202 from Pro Auctions Ltd. as part of the Collecting Cultures 'Exploring Childhoods' project.
Marks and inscriptions
Rear side of base: Signed in black paint: 'Ricky Liles' Top of base at front: White label marked 'N37'