1950s Wonder Horse BF Goodrich PF Shoe Promo

Country of Origin:  USA Collierville Tennessee 

Manufacturer: Wonder Products Co.

Dimensions:  Approx 35 x 20 x 21 in.

Condition: Age and Use Wear, Fading, Chips, All springs and Pieces Intact. 

Additional Information: Vintage 1950s wooden “The Wonder Horse” spring suspended child’s riding toy with a period B.F. Goodrich P-F Canvas Shoes advertising display.

Marked on top of the saddle:

THE WONDER HORSE
Trademark Registered
Collierville, Tenn.

Wonder Horses were manufactured by the Wonder Products Company in Collierville, Tennessee. This early wooden version predates the company’s better-known molded plastic horses and is most appropriately dated to the 1950s. 

The horse is suspended within a stationary wooden frame by four large coil springs, allowing it to bounce, rock, and sway. It retains its wooden handgrip, side foot pegs, painted saddle and decorative black detailing.

Mounted prominently on each side is a period advertising emblem reading:

HEADQUARTERS FOR
B.F. GOODRICH
“P-F” CANVAS SHOES

The advertising suggests that it was once used in a shoe store as both a children’s amusement and a promotional display while parents shopped. Similar shoe company branded Wonder Horses are known, but it is uncertain whether the advertising was factory-applied, dealer-applied, or added by the original retailer. It is therefore described conservatively as a period B.F. Goodrich shoe-store advertising version, not as a documented factory special order.

Unrestored vintage condition with substantial age and use wear, including paint loss, scratches, abrasions, edge wear and fading. The B.F. Goodrich advertising panels show cracking and small losses. The wooden frame has additional scuffs, finish loss and general wear. All four suspension springs are present. The springs appear cleaner than much of the wooden structure and may be later replacements. The handgrip and foot pegs show wear from use.

Because of its age, spring tension and unknown repair history, it is sold as a decorative advertising and toy collectible only and is not represented as safe for present-day child use. 

An unusual crossover collectible appealing to collectors of vintage toys, B.F. Goodrich memorabilia, P.F. Flyers history and mid century Americana.