1819 Hobby Horse (Denis Johnson Replica), Juvenile version

1819 Hobby Horse (Denis Johnson Replica), Juvenile version

A Replica of those built by Denis Johnson, of Covent Garden, London.

LENGTH: 47″

WIDTH: 16″

HEIGHT: 34″

18″ wooden wheel rims, spokes and hubs & metal band tyres

This replica of a juvenile Hobby Horse is much rarer than full-size version. It was built some decades ago, at the same time as the adult version (you can see a link to it at the bottom of the page). It is in excellent all round condition and ready to ride and display.

THE HOBBY HORSE DEALER

A George Cruikshank satire published 25 July, 1819, showing a Groom, a lean, disgruntled stable-hand, sitting on an overturned bucket. At his feet lies a book titled ‘Othello’s Occupation’s gone’ – a Shakespearean reference signifying that his traditional job of tending live horses is becoming obsolete.

The speech bubbles from left to right:

Stooping Dandy: “He seems to me Jack not to have quite Barrel enough.”

Dandy with monocle: “Good fore hand, by Jupiter.”

The Dealer (bow-legged, horsey, and flashy-looking, holding the machine by the steering-handle): “I’ll warrant him sound sir & free from Vice.”

Dandy on the right: “I can see he has been down once or twice though, my lad.”

Above the closed door is a board: ‘Stables [scored through] Hobby Horses taken in to mind or Stand at Livery NB a Fine Stud of Real Horses To Be Sold as cheap as dogs meat—The present proprietor going into the Hobby Line.’

In the distance, a dandy on a velocipede follows a lady similarly mounted, while a sour-looking groom follows behind.