LOT 79 1819 Denis Johnson Hobby Horse (Replica)

1819 Denis Johnson Hobby Horse Replica

• LENGTH: tip of front wheel to tip of back wheel.  60 ins
• HEIGHT: 43ins to top of handlebars
• HEIGHT: 40.5 ins to top of arm rest
• HEIGHT: 30 ins to top of saddle BUT N.B. the saddle height is adjustable.
• WHEELS: diameter 25 ins

There are very few surviving original hobby horses: they are in museums and are much too valuable to use on the road. So enthusiasts build their own, and often ride them in appropriate vintage events. The interesting thing about this type of machine is that despite it being over two centuries since the Hobby Horse was invented, traditional carpentry, blacksmith work, saddlemaking and wheelwright skills have not changed that much. So it’s possible to use similar methods of construction to create replicas.

This one is owned by friends who no longer use it. You can see a video below that I took of it being ridden at a Denis Johnson centenary event in London in 2018. Here’s my friend’s report:

“It was ridden once or twice a year over 4 or 5 years but has since been sat in a garage since 2018 and not ridden. The wheels are wobbly and need tightening but we didn’t know how to do it. It previously had a bit of woodworm in the spokes but was treated so there’s no live woodworm and it’s not anything to cause weakness. The armrest leather has some splits at the top and damage to the sides. The saddle is adjustable but we have never changed it, so if you wanted to adjust it the bolts might need freeing off.”

It has the maker’s name Peter Hoyte on the underside of the saddle, and an old brass bell underneath the armrest.

If you’re interested in the early to mid-19th century, this would be an excellent opportunity (and a cheap option) to take part in events with a period machine. The last three photos show the owner with it at a Jane Austen event.