35053 - "Grandpa’s Little Gift" Grandpa and Grandson with Hobby Horse, 1855-72

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Grandpa’s Little Gift Grandpa and Grandson with Hobby Horse, 1855-72

A German woodcut illustration depicts a child playing on his hobby horse as far back as 1542. Almost certainly children would have been playing on them years before. The word hobby is derived from 14th century, Middle English hobyn and the Old French, hobin or haubby and is noted in the Oxford English Dictionary as “a small or middle-sized horse; an ambling or pacing horse; a pony.” The toy itself is a straight stick with a small horse’s head (of wood or stuffed fabric), and perhaps reins, attached to one end. The bottom end of the stick sometimes had a small wheel or wheels attached. The child then mounts his horse, “or” stick and proceeds to hop “or” gallop along imitating a spirited steed and capable rider.

1/30 Scale
 Matte Finish
 Two Figures in Box