The Rocking Horse Workshop

15/11/2024

I have recently acquired a couple of 'engravers proofs' that I thought would be of interest, they were done for Savages, both c.1860.

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