Hodnet Craftsman Becomes Author & Publisher

David Kiss with his book

David Kiss whose Rocking Horse Workshop is in Hodnet village, has researched, written and now published a ground-breaking book on the heyday of his craft. “A Kiss of Rocking Horses ~ A Directory of British Rocking Horse Makers (pre-1950)” is now available and can be purchased at the shop or by mail order.
David Kiss with his book‘A Kiss of Rocking Horses’ is the most comprehensive listing of all known British Rocking Horse Makers, over one hundred and fifty in all. Each maker is listed alphabetically and, where known, the social background of each firm is reported on as well as the range of products that the firm produced. David has spent many hours researching old catalogues, magazines and newspapers for information on Rocking Horse manufacturers both large and small.
The book aims to equip the reader identify and name any model of British Rocking Horse by the means of over 720 colour and black and white pictures and illustrations. These are spread throughout the 520 pages of the book.
Designed as a directory the book seeks to include as much information about all British rocking horse makers established before 1950, who have put at least one model into production. David acknowledges though that the content is by no means definitive and his historical research is on going.
He adds, “The words ‘Rocking Horse’ can be used to describe many variations of a genre, from a very simple and cheaply made item, up to a large and fully sculptured animal, and because of this, this book features many different types of Rocking Horses.”
David has set up a new website dedicated to his book – www.akissofrockinghorses.co.uk This features information on price and how to order “A Kiss of Rocking Horses” as well a preview of some of the pages.