Life-size Yogi Bear hanna barbera 1960s rocking horse ride-on toy

This amazing toy was made in the early 1960s. They are extremely rare- very few made, even fewer sold (I don't think it was very popular), and even fewer survived to the present day.

The plastic form of Yogi is made a blow-mold, which means they would blow it up like a plastic bubble until it conformed to the molded shape and let to dry that way. Same idea as the plastic-fantastic x-mas lawn ornament...

It came in several different forms- a rocker, where Yogi is simply bolted to a metal frame, a roller, where it simply has 4x swiveling wheels beneath, and this form- the classic rocking horse, which is the hardest to find. In my 20 years with vintage toys, I have only ever seen two of these.

They are extremely prone to damage, and this one is no exception- perhaps why so few are found with the metal rack and spring-loaded rocking horse form. They would common tear through the plastic from heavy use where the parts attach it to the framework (see pic). However, for its rarity and undeniable character I think the flaw is foregiveable. Even with the playwear, it just enhances this piece as an entertaining object and conversation piece.

Value is extremely hard to determine with these, so if you are seriously interested, don't be afraid to contact me about it. I would love to hear others' thoughts on the piece. There's not much info out there on this one. No one even seems to know who made it, how long. One thing for certain- it is a licensed Hanna-Barbera toy, complete w/the 1960 copyright and "Yogi Bear" printed right there on the rump!

What kid wouldn't have wanted to ride Yogi? how cool is that?!