Information on PTC Carousel Horses
The Philadelphia Toboggan Company (PTC) produced carousel horses that are valued for their designs and their beauty. The PTC carousel horses appeared in the carousels of the United States for most of the 20th century, and the wooden horses exemplified fine woodworking skill.
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History
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The Philadelphia Toboggan Company was founded in 1903, but produced carousels and PTC horses for only the first 30 years during its history, opting after 1934 to concentrate on creating roller coasters instead. In its day, PTC was one of the few carousel companies that was not founded by carvers. Due to a changing roster of head carvers that included John Zalar, Carl Muller, Frank Caretta and Lee Zoller, PTC saw several style changes in its horses throughout the years.
Time Frame
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According to the New England Antiques Journal, the Golden Age of the Carousel took place between 1870 and 1930, ending with the advent of the Great Depression. After the stock-market crashed in 1929 the wooden carousel horses were available for $50 or less. PTC marketed its carousel horses during the second half of the Depression era.
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Style
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The PTC carousel horses are part of the Philadelphia style of carousel horses. Philadelphia-style horses are carved to be more realistic than the fanciful Coney Island-style carousel horses, but more elaborate than the simpler Country Fair style. PTC carousel horses were known for their sweet features and detailed armor.
Types
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Three main poses characterize PTC carousel horses. A stander PTC carousel horse will have three or four hooves flat on the ground and can have the appearance of trotting, standing or walking. This pose is common for king horses, the largest in the carousel. A jumper PTC carousel horse has all four hooves in the air, while a prancer PTC carousel horse will have its two front hooves off the ground.
Misconceptions
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Most carvers did not sign their carousel horses, and seeing a signature on a older horse may be a sign that you are looking at a fake. Especially in later PTC carousel horses, you may see "PTC" carved into a shield on the horse's decorations. This is a company mark, not a signature.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit carousel image by Iris Schneider from Fotolia.com
