The Rocking Horse Workshop

04/04/2024

February 5th 1918.......

04/04/2024

F.H.Ayres 'Moveable Head' horse...

DEPOSIT NOW TAKEN....

We are very pleased to offer for sale a ‘Prince’ amongst rocking horses, this being an F.H Ayres ‘Moveable-Head’ horse that dates from c.1890. A wonderful example of this sought-after item with provenance back to 1933, earlier provenance may be available with some further research to confirm Royal connection!

As with all F H Ayres horses of this period it is very finely carved and looks quite magnificent, the horse has a no. ‘2’ stamped to its forehead, (believed to be an identifier as to the carver), the horse also has an ‘F H AYRES’ stencil to its belly. Dimensions are…. 48” tall and the stand is 60” long. This actual horse also features in the book, ‘A Kiss of Rocking Horses’.

The horse has recently had a full ‘service’ (including the head mechanism) and is in overall very good order. It has of course had restoration over the years but still retains the majority of its original paint-work.

Price…. On application.

The horse is at present located in SE England.

If you would like further more detailed information/pictures about the horse it is important that you contact us at [email protected] where we will endeavour to answer any questions you may have. We do not like using FB messenger and will NOT reply to any detailed questions about price or condition etc..etc…

07/03/2024

“Fancy Nails & Studs”……

Been having a sort out, found a box of old nails…some of the ‘Fancies’ after trading 40 odd years……. Do you recognise them all… answers on a postcard….

08/02/2024

New maker…..1845 Louis Ahlborn Liverpool.

Another old letterhead I acquired some time ago, Louis Ahlborn, September 5th 1845. Seems to have been a general Haberdasher but also states ‘Manufacturer of Rocking Horses’.

A brief bit of research shows that a partnership between Louis and Julius was dissolved in 1849. In 1854 it appears that Julius was in prison and in 1855 Louis filed for bankruptcy!

Haven’t had time to dig any deeper but could be quite intriguing…

From the statement, ‘Manufacturer of Rocking Horses, one would assume that it was bow rocking horses they made.

06/02/2024

New Information regarding ‘SMEETON’ rocking horse manufacturers.

I have recently acquired this fantastic letterhead dated 24th May 1910 for S. (Samuel) Smeeton, (who I think was the son of George Smeeton. There is a listing in my book for George).

Apart from it being a rather nice decorative letterhead with the four engravings, there is a statement that says…. “SOLE INVENTOR OF THE VELOCIPEDE HORSE”.

Well, what a statement that is, one may have assumed such things were the provenance of Ayres or Lines… I’m not sure if there is any registered Patent that Smeeton took out or if it is something purely stated on their letterheads…..I certainly have not come across anything during my research. The name Smeeton is more commonly associated with Perambulators…. i.e. listing from census forms etc. so perhaps that would be a research avenue to follow… There may well be a connection with the firm ‘Allen’ who were also located in Hackney road.

I think looking at the engravings on the letterhead it would be unwise to base any identification on these as often they were generic images.

More research is obviously required and I’m sure that none of Smeeton’s products have been formally identified…. However, they may well be living ‘unknown’ within someone’s collection….

Smeeton is just one of many named manufacturers that is still to have their products to be identified……

25/01/2024

Tony Jackson.....

I have recently heard the very sad news that Tony Jackson has passed away, I had the great pleasure of meeting Tony quite a few times over the years, he was a most knowledgable and generous gentleman...he was very skilled in all aspects of rocking horse manufacture and restoration and he will be sadly missed within the rocking horse community, my sincere condolences to his family... rest in peace Tony.....

16/12/2023

Humphry & Barringer, Birmingham..... manufacturers?? from a very dilapidated but surviving 1906 Catalogue, 45 pages of carts, carriages etc... one rocking horse page......... if anyone has any information about this firm, please contact me at [email protected]...... not keen on facebook messenger!

16/12/2023

Could almost be Christmas..... USA...

12/11/2023

F.H.Ayres looking well used! Circa 1890...

12/11/2023

F.H.Ayres looking almost new?... circa 1890

01/11/2023

Ayres eyes….

I’m not sure if this has been covered before but I thought it may be of interest…. I was recently working on an Ayres horse (c.1915) and had to remove the eyes as they were loose and noticed that the pupils are a rather nice turquoise colour, of course this is really only apparent when light is shone through them….. I recall coming across some similar many years ago. You can make out that the turquoise glass has a spiral form… very much hand made…..

31/10/2023

Just been reading through some old wartime newspapers today and came across this picture, possibly a J R Smith horse, if so it hadn't travelled very far from it's place of manufacture......dated 16th September 1940...

05/12/2022

Collinson Christmas Fun....

Classic vintage Collinson in original condition for sale...... either refurb or display as is... Overall height is 40" (102cm) and stand length is 50" (127cm) Collect from Ashford Kent area... £395. Email [email protected] if interested.

07/09/2022

Happy Days......
Everyone is smiling here, even the horse! Not sure who made the horse, caption on the back indicates 1953 as photo date.... bit difficult to transcribe.... Rangoon - Burma??? anyway, a fun shot....

07/12/2021

“A Kiss of Rocking Horses”

Book for sale…. Just one….

Is this the only copy in the world for sale……???

The perfect ‘unobtainable’ Christmas gift!

On offer is our signed ‘Showroom’ copy as used on a daily basis in the shop so obviously it is a second-hand copy… a little worn on the outside but content is fine……. Please see attached pictures that show the actual book and its condition.

So….we’re open to your best offers up until 9pm on Tuesday 14th December 2021….. strict!

The best offer received by then will be accepted and the winning bidder will be notified that evening via email with invoice…. Payment by bank transfer only…. If prompt you should receive the book for Xmas…

In addition to the amount you bid, a further £8 will be added to cover postage and package, this is for the UK only, we will accept bids from overseas but obviously postage will be more and Christmas delivery will probably not be obtainable….

All offers should be made strictly via [email protected] please no Facebook messages……they will not be answered.

All offers and winning bid will be kept in strict confidence……

To sum up,

A second-hand Signed copy, ex Rocking Horse Workshop showroom…

Highest bid secures…

Bank transfer only…

Email offers only to [email protected]

The only one out there!

Good luck……. 🙂

07/12/2021

Retirement…

After all but 40 years in the trade, we (David and Noreen) have now decided to take things easy and retire from the business of rocking horse restoration and manufacture. Over the years we have worked on many thousands of horses, met many delightful people and brought joy to children and adults alike….. not a bad way to earn a living…..

David will continue to research rocking horse makers from the past and hopefully publish something in the future, we will also continue to have our Facebook presence so that you are still able to contact us should you wish.

We would take this opportunity to give a big thank you to all of our customers from over the years and to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, Best wishes, David & Noreen.

07/12/2021

06/10/2021

SALE NOW ON......

Check out our website for sale items..... up to £65% off some items....... https://www.therockinghorseworkshop.com/shop

All enquiries to [email protected] or call us on 01630 685888 (office hours).... please no texts or facebook messages..... thanks...

17/06/2021

Just in.....

We have for sale an early Lines Brothers Push along horse dated to circa 1921 so now 100 years old! The horse has been in our workshop for some general light restoration. Originally supplied by Gamages, it has their applied label 'Tall Oaks from Little Acorns grow'. It is 24" tall and is priced at £595. We also have another Lines push along, a bit later circa 1930, that has been overpainted white.... for sale at £295. All enquiries to [email protected] (NOT via Facebook please)....

18/03/2021

JONES' Victorian enamel sign...

We have for sale a rare, large and imposing JONES' SEWING MACHINES advertising Victorian enamel sign with Royal Warrant to HM Queen (Victoria) The sign is in good condition with only minor damage (under letter G) With the oak frame it measures 74" wide and 20" deep. Price £1200 .Please email [email protected] for further information.

17/03/2021

Tiny-Tim.....

We have just finished making this new 'Tiny Tim' horse, based on a c.1900 size 'OO' G&J Lines horse... standing only 28" tall he's quite a cute little fella.... the stand is solid oak so should last a few years......

14/02/2021

At the back of the cupboard....

We have been having a sort through and came across this rather poorly horse... been in the workshop for over 20 years collecting dust... It is featured in my book in the Crossley chapter, it is very fragile and unlikely to be restorable but has a curious quality about it in it's decrepit state... its all come to pieces and is just balanced for the picture..... but I feel it should be preserved in some way.... I'm open to £'s offers as we'd like to move it on.....old rocking horses never die......

12/02/2021

New stock....

We have a few new (old) horses in stock, please visit https://www.therockinghorseworkshop.com/shop for details.....

27/11/2020

Christmas has arrived at The Rocking Horse Workshop......

Best wishes to you all.....

Love, Light & Peace...

David & Noreen....

24/10/2020

"Caramac"

Because of its colour, it seemed like a good name for this fine little horse, (remember those odd coloured chocolate bars) curiously it also has bearing plates marked 'confectionary', no idea what that's all about but just quite interesting.. The horse may well be made by Brassington & Cooke, Manchester. Despite its small size, 35" to top of its head, it has some fine detail to both the horse and stand, it is offered in its play-worn condition at only £395.oo

24/10/2020

Fairground fancy...

For sale on behalf of John Pockett, renowned fairground artist, is a small wheeled horse in 'fairground' livery.... The charming little horse is finely hand painted and makes for a great display. John has offered to paint new owners name on the horse within the asking price...The horse stands at 25" tall and is priced at £625

29/07/2020

Happy 'Hill & Harrison'......

We have just completed the restoration of one of the less often found horses, a 'Hill & Harrison' of Liverpool. The horse arrived in a rather sad state but with a little time and effort it was brought back to life... one thing that wasn't apparent when the horse arrived was the wording on the brackets, now cleaned of many layers of paint, the makers initials are clear. Thank you to the owners allowing us to post the pictures...

05/07/2020

F H Ayres 'D' Quality restoration.

We have just finished the restoration of a size 6 'D' Quality horse. When the horse arrived it was in untouched original condition but had suffered a little over the years so some subtle repairs were carried out to the horse, tack and the stand. Many thanks to the owners for allowing us to post pictures of their horse. And now onto the next restoration..........

15/06/2020

Rocking Horse Talk with David Kiss, Fixtures, fittings and fiddly fings!

Just uploaded another video, this time due to the fact I've no new horses to talk about until 'lockdown' is lifted I thought I'd waffle on about some aspects of restoration and starting with 'coach bolts'... may be of interest to some of you out there..... link to the video is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvrmUq0pEkk&t=630s.

Today on Rocking Horse Talk we're looking at coach bolts and how to remove them. Email - [email protected] Phone - 01630 685888