I'm laughing to myself here because as soon as I typed that post title I knew it will get my husbands attention, with an accompanying eye roll and heavy sigh. And then maybe a glance at the credit card statement or his wallet. But seriously...
Several years back I walked into an antiques mall and walked out $75. lighter with a filthy, decrepit, tail-less magic-marker riddled rocking horse that I thought must be ancient and worth big bucks if I just fixed it up. I found out it was an Asian knock off and I had not scored a find worthy of American Pickers best, but that's OK.. I still love him to this day. I bought some horse tail hair and restored his pride, too.
This morning at another antiques barn I bumped into an old flame.
The WONDER HORSE
a vintage spring horse from the 1950s that typically sells now for around $25 - $100.
depending on the condition, model, etc.
Oh, how I loved those spring horses when I was a youngster.
We didn't have one, but when ever I got the chance
to take a ride on someone else's, I was smitten.
These shown below may not be the actual "Wonder" horse.. usually stamped
on the fender of the saddle. I don't see the mark in these pics..
but I love them regardless.
This one is a beauty - and sold for $75. not long ago.
I didn't mind tagging along to the grocery store with my grandmother on occasion...
because HER grocery store had one of these at the front door...
And today... I saw yet another vintage horse I had not had the privilege of meeting before...
the MOBO BRONCHO pedal horse. These were made in England started in 1947 through 1971 and were very popular here in the US because they were a relatively affordable and durable childrens
ride-on toy.
This is not the one I looked at... he was a black beauty and in excellent condition
for $350. Too deep for my pockets.
But this one below is a fine example of what's out there to be found...
for between $150-350. depending on the condition.
They are large enough for a small child to sit on and propel along by pushing
down the pedals with their feet.
I am determined to bring another pony home to This Old House...
One similar to the vintage ponies you see above.
I have to find a real bargain, though... and so the hunt begins.
I may or may not have just made a really low bid on ebay.
Depends who asks :-)
These are all so neat and I love the one you worked on and made better. My boys had a spring horse that I got at a garage sale...many years ago. They did some dangerous tricks on it if I recall! It's amazing they survived their childhood! haha! hope you find one you want! Sweet hugs!
ReplyDeletegood luck with that!
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you on your hunt. My boys loved riding those spring horses when they were little. We had a really nice one at one point. Hope you can find it!
ReplyDeleteI have my Wonder Horse! I repainted him many years ago and it was my intention to take him off his springs and hang him from the cathedral ceiling, as soon as I got my large shelves built around the wall. None of that has happened, so my horse just lingers in the storage building, along with all the other treasures that were supposed to go on those shelves. *sigh
ReplyDeleteOh man, I hated those outside the grocery stores for the simple reason I didn't always have the $$ for her to ride. But, she did occasionally. :)
ReplyDeleteI believe you and Hunter are related in your love of horses, and of course your K also.
Many years ago when I was a kid, my dad took me to the ponie rides
and I never lived it down that all I could say was WHOA!!! It obviously ain't in my blood.
Karen - good luck with the new additions to your 'herd' :)
ReplyDeleteI always take a second, sometimes third glance at these beauties myself.
-Joan-
www.mvobsession.com
Oh what a bunch of cool horses! Good Luck on your search. Don't forget to drive the back roads and ask people if you can search around their old abandoned buildings. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI had one of the spring horses! Love 'em! Thanks for the walk down memory lane!
ReplyDeleteYou go girl, find that horse!
ReplyDeleteI wish I had known Karen! Just sold our ancient "Wonder Horse" back in the summer when we cleaned out my parent's place. There is definitely a market for vintage toys! I made done decent money on some of them.
ReplyDeletegood luck with your finds!
ReplyDeleteI love them all!!!!! Brings back my childhood...though we didn't have one of those spring ones either. And I always wanted to ride on the mechanical ones but my Mom never relinquished the .10. Maybe that's why I have real horses?! :)
ReplyDeleteA good mission to be on! I remember those rocking horses and the ones on springs and the ones outside the market. Great memories.
ReplyDeletexo
Claudia
Good luck on ebay!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteyou crack me up!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you in spirit! Love them all!
ReplyDeleteI did have a spring horse. Oh, such fun times.
ReplyDeleteOh yeah, I remember those Wonder Horses! They are about the same vintage as me--circa 1951! I love those mechanical ponies too-Soon I will have to write about the time "C" and I had a race to see who got to ride on the bigger one at the grocery store! It ended with a trip to the doctor! "C" has quite a collection of stick horses from the fifties --the ones with the vinyl heads --the kind we "rode" the neighborhood with!
ReplyDeleteV