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| Antique Toys: Rolling Hoop |
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 Trundling a hoop has been a favorite outdoor activity for children for centuries. Hoops were shown in an engraving for Jacob Cats's poem Kinderspel as early as 1628 and were frequently included in illustrations of children's activities and games in the late 18th and 19th centuries. Early hoops were of metal; in the 1800s, handmade wood hoops were all the rage as a favorite plaything. The child's hoop was propelled by stroking a one foot dowel or stick along the top. |
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 "Rolling", "bowling" and "trundling" a hoop really came into its own in Victorian times. Hoops were raced and used for skipping. The Youth's Best Friend, an early book of instruction, illustrates trundling a hoop with the comment that, "This is indeed a very good sport for little boys,  but only in cool weather; some little boys make themselves very hot... by which they often become very ill." Many 19th century portraits and photographs include a hoop along side the posed child. The 20th century hula-hoop is a modern day version of this treasured plaything. |
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