Anthony Dew, Making Rocking Horses. Newton Abbot: David & Charles, 1986.
Hard cover, 25.5 x 17.5 cm, dustwrapper, 128 pages, illustrated.
Dustwrapper neatly price-clipped, in very good condition.
'For hundreds of years, no nursery has been complete without its beautiful, hand-carved, dapple-grey rocking-horse. These traditional rocking-horses are much more than just toys; providing hours of amusement for both children and adults, they have become heirlooms, passed down through families for generations. This practical book, compiled by a full-time skilled rocking-horse craftsman, will enable the woodworker to make his own traditional rocking-horse. All levels of skill are catered for; there are detailed instructions for several projects, ranging from a simple plywood hobby-horse (the precursor of the rocking-horse today) to the fully carved rocking-horse, mounted on bow rockers or varnished timber safety stands. All the techniques, for example cutting, carving and painting, are clarified by step-by-step black-and-white photographs, line drawings and accurate scale plans. There is information on the necessary tools, and where certain machinery can be used to help; suitable woods, and how to treat them; cutting out and shaping; assembly and carving; painting; application of eyes, manes and tails, and harness and saddlery. There is also detailed advice on mounting the two fully carved rocking-horses securely on their rockers or stands. The author has also had vast experience of renovating old and neglected rocking-horses, and describes the tasks involved, such as mending broken ears, and resetting loose legs, and he goes on to reveal the best ways of treating and restoring antique horses. Useful appendices include cutting lists, the application of gesso (which is applied before painting can commence), and the methods of curing horse hair for manes and tails. He also lists alternative materials which can be used. This is therefore a thoroughly practical and useful book; as the author says 4. . . it seems now that the world is full of budding rocking-horse carvers, just requiring a little practical encourage-ment and help.' Here is the book they need!'
