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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Hobbyhorse
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Hobbyhorse

Artifact IDMO 1946.33.1
Object Type Hobbyhorse
Maker (American, founded 19th century)
Date1878
Mediumwood, paint, hair (horse), metal, leather
Dimensionsoverall H 39 1/2 in x W 48 1/2 in x D 16 in (100.3 cm x 123.2 cm x 40.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA large hobbyhorse consisting of a dappled white horse with a silver-gray horse hair mane and tail. The horse is outfitted with a red leather saddle and headstall trimmed in yellow leather. Metal stirrups hang on either side. The horse rests on a fixed wooden stand in the center with wooden gliders on either side that allow the horse to glide front to back. Stamped on top surface of center support: PATENTED / MARQUA HOBBY / OCT 1 1878.
Historical NoteFDR’s Delano grandparents gave him this hobbyhorse, made by P. J. Marqua & Co., when he was four years old while his parents were traveling in Mexico. He named it Mexico. Decades later, Roosevelt’s children enjoyed playing with the hobbyhorse. It is on display in the A PRIVILEGED YOUTH exhibit in the Museum’s FOUNDATIONS OF A PUBLIC LIFE gallery.
Additional Details
Custodial History NotePresented to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Frederic A. Delano on September 24, 1945.
Credit LineGift of Frederic A. Delano
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
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