NSLM Newsletter - Spring 2009

2009·8.1 MB·English

The National Sporting Library
NEWSLETTER
A RESEARCH CENTER FOR HORSE AND FIELD SPORTS MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA
NUMBER 91 1954 " FIFTY-FIVE YEARS " 2009 SPRING 2009
A Splendid Field:
Library Announces 2009. . 2010
John H.. Daniels Fellows
The John H. Daniels Fellowship who serves on the
Committee selected seven fellows Daniels Fellowship
for the 2009-2010 year from a pool Committee, said
of twenty applicants. The selected "This is what Dad
fellows will visit the Library in the dreamed about
coming year to research a diverse while collecting rare
variety of topics on horse and field books and manu-
sports, including a rare 17th-centu- scripts. Research
ry horsemanship manuscript, the was foremost in his
history of polo in America, and con- thinking. He envi-
servation in American fly fishing. sioned the Library
"I am delighted with the quality with scholars from
and variety of applicants for the around the world.
Daniels Fellowship. This is just We're impressed
what Mr. Daniels would have want- with the contribu-
ed," said Nancy H. Parsons, tion the Daniels fel-
President and CEO. "Thanks to lows are making,
this program, the Library's collec- and that it fits so
tion will provide the foundation for well with the
compelling new scholarship. As a Library's collection
result, the Fellowship will signifi- in diverse areas of
cantly advance the mission of sport, art, history
preservation and sharing and the and the preserva-
chosen scholars will carry the mes- tion of wild spaces
sage of the Library to an interna- and wildlife."
tional audience. This is one of the Committee mem-
most important projects at the bers had the enjoy-
Library and I am proud of its suc- able but difficult
cess." task of selecting fel- Discussions of fly fishing ethics date back to Izaak Walton and beyond.
Engraving after Samuel Wale. From Izaak Walton. The Complete
Jacqueline B. Mars, Vice lows from a talented
Angler. 1808 edition. Daniels Collection.
Chairman of the Board of Directors, applicant pool. The
commented that, "We are so very Library received twenty applica- for Conservation: Religion, Popular
proud to be able to offer these fel- tions from senior university profes- Culture, and the Politics of River
lowships, thanks to the generosity sors, prolific journalists and inde- Restoration," Snyder explored the
of the Daniels Foundation that both pendent writers, as well as graduate role religious and cultural values
expand the horizons of the students. The applicants hail from have played in the restoration of
researchers and exhibit to an inter- twelve states and one foreign country. rivers and native fish species. Snyder
national audience what a wonder- For the first time, the Library has will investigate the roots of modern-
ful resource there is in the collec- awarded a fellowship for an angling day conservation through angling
tions of the NSL." topic. Dr. Samuel Snyder, who literature, from the treatises by Izaak
The Fellowship program origi- received his doctoral degree last Walton and Juliana Berners to con-
nated in 2007 in memory of John H. year in the Religion and Nature pro- temporary works by fly fishing
Daniels (1921-2006), a member of gram at the University of Florida, authors such as John Gierach.
the Board of Directors, avid book will explore the history of environ- "While conservation organizations
collector and Library supporter. mental concern in American
John H. Daniels' daughter Marty, angling. In his dissertation, "Casting continued on page 2
Daniels Fellows the Department of Surgery at the treatise, see article in the Winter
Norwalk Hospital and served on the 2007 newsletter).
continued from page 1 faculty at the Yale University School "You can imagine my astonish-
of Medicine for more than twenty ment when I 'discovered' the NSL' s
such as Federation of Fly Fishers or years. He has pursued the sport of manuscript," said Deriu. "I just
Trout Unlimited did not emerge polo in his native Argentina and the couldn't keep myself from gazing
until 1965 and 1959 respectively, the U.S., and has composed six books on openmouthed at the picture of its
language of conservation began to the subject, including the Diccionario frontispiece on the [Library's] web-
surface at least in print in the late de Polo (1991) and The Polo site!" Deriu knows of only one other
1800' s," writes Snyder. A devoted fly Encyclopedia, and contributes to such copy of the Piccardini manuscript in
fisherman himself and contributor to magazines as Polo Magazine, Polo a private collection. According to
the American Fly Fisher journal, Times, and Sidelines. The Evolution of Deriu, it was customary of the time
Snyder is a member of several con- Polo, which traces the origins of the period for riding masters to circulate
servation organizations. He current- sport in Central Asia to the present handwritten treatises, as attested by
ly teaches Environmental Ethics at day, will appear in print this May. the inscription on the frontispiece,
Kalamazoo College in Michigan. Laffaye has served on the Board of which reads that Piccardini' s instruc-
The Library selected Dr. Horace Directors of the Museum of Polo and tions have been "briefly explained,
Laffaye for its first project on the Hall of Fame (located in Lake Worth, in order to be given to his students."
sport of polo. Laffaye is completing Fl.) since 2004. Deriu is preparing a critical edition and
the research for a book, The History of Dr. Elisabetta Deriu, an Italian- translation of Piccardini' s manual.
Polo in the United States, which will born historian from the University of Like Deriu, art historian Dr. Pia
be published by McFarland & Co., in Paris, is investigating Valerio Cuneo studies early horsemanship
2010. The first comprehensive work Piccardini, the riding master for the manuals, and is preparing a book on
on American polo in decades, powerful Florentine family, the the topic, Horsemanship and the
Laffaye' s book will examine the Medici. During the course of Performance of Identity in Early
development of polo in the U. S. researching her doctoral dissertation Modern Germany. Cuneo, who teach-
beginning with its introduction in on horsemanship at Renaissance and es Northern and Italian Renaissance
1876. "The long-standing dogma is Early Modern courts, Deriu exam- Art History at the University of
that James Gordon Bennett brought ined an illustrated manuscript, Arizona in Tucson, has published
the game to New York City after "Scritti di Cavaleria" ["Writings on multiple articles and delivered
watching polo matches in England," Horsemanship"] in the collections of numerous papers on horses and
Laffaye remarks. "However, there is the British Library in London. equestrian imagery in the history
a strong oral tradition that the game Through an online advertisement for and art of Northern Europe. During
was started in Texas by Englishmen the Daniels fellowship, Deriu discov- several summers in Germany, Cuneo
ranching in Boerne." ered that the NSL owned an original examined 16th and 17th century
Laffaye, a retired surgeon, chaired copy of Piccardini' s text (for more on German horsemanship manuals at
research libraries in Wolfenbiittel
and Munich. Many of these texts
demonstrate 16th-century writers'
awareness of their dependence upon
the horse for transportation, war,
and pleasure. "For the sixteenth-cen-
tury reader," Cuneo states, "engag-
ing with these questions would have
only reinforced what was a clearly
foregone conclusion: that early mod-
ern life without the horse was
unthinkable if not impossible."
Cuneo will look at other early horse-
manship texts by Italian and English
writers in the Daniels, Lonsdale,
Hiinersdorf, and Littauer collections
in order to determine how the
German authors drew upon these
texts while forming their own ideas.
Dorothy Ours of Stockton, N.J.,
will be the first Daniels fellow to
explore steeplechasing as she
researches a book about Battleship,
the first American-bred and -owned
Horace Laffaye is writing a history of polo in America. The American Team in 1909, 1911and1913 winner of the famed Grand National
(Left to Right): Mr. D. Milburn on Tenby, Mr. H.P. Whitney on Balada, Mr. J.M. Waterbwy on Acushla, Steeplechase (which is held annually
Mr. L. Waterbul)I on Cinderella. From F. Gray Griswold. The International Polo Cup. 1928. Daniels at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool,
Collection.
-2 -The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009
more astonishing considering that Jacqueline B. Mars, Ms. Marty
huntsmen must forge this mutually Daniels, and Mr. Angus Trumble of
trusting partnership with their the John H. Daniels Fellowship
hounds using few tools in the field Committee for their participation in
beyond voice and horn." Oakford choosing this group of exceptional
will consult the Library's classic scholars.
works on hunting as well as the The next deadline for applications
papers and hunting diaries of noted is February 1, 2010. For more infor-
hound experts Alexander H. mation, contact Elizabeth Tobey,
Higginson, Alexander Mackay- Director of Communications and
Smith, Sterling Larrabee, and Joseph Research, at 540-687-6542 x 11 or
B. Thomas. [email protected].
Charles Calhoun will also make
use of the Library's extensive
archival collections on foxhunting in
researching "Going British: The
Glenye Cain Oakford will explore the centuries- Anglicizing of American Hunting
old relationship between humans and hounds.
with Hounds, 1865-1930." Calhoun
From George Turberville. The Noble Art of
Venerie or Hunting. 1611. Daniels Collection. theorizes that during the years
between 1865 and 1930 there was a
England). Ours is the acclaimed " ... transformation of rough-and-
author of Man o'War: A Legend Like ready hunting with hounds in the
Lightning (reviewed in the Spring eastern United States into a highly
2008 newsletter) and has written stylized, ritualized sport that
extensively for the Thoroughbred Beckford and Meynell would indeed
Times and other racing publications. have recognized." He plans to write
Man o'War' s diminutive son, a history of the development of fox-
Battleship, has his own compelling hunting in America, placing the
story. According to Ours, the horse's sport within a cultural context and
owner, Marion duPont Scott, "chose examining how foxhunting was
Battleship for her next attempt [at among one of many British social
the National] because of his particu- institutions that Americans emulated.
lar character - even though to most Calhoun hunted with the Old
people the small stallion did not North Bridge Hounds in Mass., a
look like an Aintree horse." Ours' hunt descended from the historic
proposed book on Battleship will Milwood Hunt in Concord. He has
chronicle his racing career and the written four historical books, includ-
lives of his connections, including ing a history of Bowdoin College and
Mrs. Scott; trainer I rider, Carroll K. Longfellow: A Rediscovered Life, about
Basset and trainer, Reginald Hobbs; the American poet, Henry
and jockey, Bruce Hobbs. Wadsworth Longfellow (for which
Another accomplished journalist, he received a prestigious National
Glenye Cain Oakford of Lexington, Endowment for the Humanities
Ky., is writing a book called The Research Fellowship). Currently,
Golden Thread about the longstand- Calhoun is a Scholar in Residence
ing relationship between humans with the Maine Humanities Council
and hounds. A journalist by profes- in Portland, Me., and edits Maine
sion, Oakford serves as the Daily Humanities magazine.
Racing Form's bloodstock business The fellowship program is not
correspondent and author of The unlike those at other research centers
Home Run Horse: Inside America's such as the Yale Center for British
Billion-Dollar Racehorse Industry and Art in New Haven, Conn. Fellows
the High-Stakes Dreams that Fuel It. receive complimentary housing in
Hounds and hunting have been a Middleburg and a modest stipend to
particular passion for Oakford, who cover living and travel expenses, and
owns beagles and has hunted with in exchange, are encouraged to cred-
the Iroquois Hunt and the Clear it the Library in any published books
Creek Beagles in Kentucky. Over and articles. Throughout the year,
centuries, humans and canines have fellows will share their research at
achieved a sophisticated communi- special Roundtable lectures- please
cation with each other in the hunt check the website at www.nsl.org for
field, an accomplishment that upcoming events.
Oakford contends to be " ... all the The Library is grateful to Mrs.
The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009 -3 -
An En1blem of Liberty: Dr. Arthur K. Wheelock, Jr.,
Lectures on Dutch Art and Horse Paintings
On February 21, Dr. Arthur K. ruins] to reflect upon the sacrifices Dutch painters documented riding
Wheelock, Jr., lectured on the topic of that their forefathers had made to - a pursuit of the nobility - as well as
"Horses, Windmills and Skaters: allow themselves to have that free- the children's games and pastimes
Images of Pleasure and Purpose in dom/' explained Wheelock. enjoyed by all levels of society.
the Dutch Republic." Wheelock, an Another painting by Cuyp in the Another painting by Cuyp in the
internationally-known art historian National Gallery, Horsemen and Toledo Museum of Art depicts a rid-
and Curator of Northern Baroque Herdsmen with Cattle (painted c. 1655- ing academy, in which the riding mas-
Painting at the National ter on horseback supervises
Gallery of Art, Washington, the training of students in the
D.C., centered his lecture classical movements of the
upon the Library's newly- manege. Dutch artists some-
donated painting, Horse in a times parodied the preten-
Landscape, painted around sion of the riding academy, as
1690 by Abraham van Calraet in Wouwermans' Riding
(1642-1722). The event was School, in which a little boy
the first of the 2009 Saturday performs a perfect levade on
Public Lecture series. the back of a rearing goat.
Mrs. Henry H. Weldon, "The Dutch loved to teach
donor of the painting, attend- through children's games - it
ed the lecture. gave you an idea of the
Wheelock began his talk foibles of life through
by displaying two equestrian games/' said Wheelock.
paintings by the English Penny prints, which were
artist, George Stubbs. "What sold like newspapers,
I do find interesting is how abound with images of chil-
Dutch these paintings look," dren's games, such as hoops,
remarked Wheelock, offering jump rope, stilts, hobby hors-
examples of equestrian paint- es, blowing bubbles, and pin-
ings by Philips Wouwermans wheels. Many images in
Mrs. Henry H. Weldon and Dr. Arthur K.
and Calraet' s contemporary and Dutch art of children's games and
Wheelock, Jr., with the Calraet painting.
probable teacher, Aelbert Cuyp. leisure activities are connected with
Unlike the Stubbs paintings, where 1660) shows Hungarian horsemen emblems - popular sayings offering
both the human and equine protago- riding through a Dutch landscape life wisdom and lessons.
nists are named, the horses in the suffused with light. "That's not just Wheelock mentioned that the
Dutch pictures do not appear to be natural light, it is spiritual light. It is motif of a single, unbridled horse in
portraits of individual animals. Arcadia, a world of peace and harmo- a landscape is very rare in Dutch art.
Cuyp' s paintings became very fash- ny that they have come to enjoy/' he Another example comes from the
ionable among English collectors. added. collection of the Getty Museum in
11 All of the National Gallery's great Returning to the Calraet painting, Los Angeles - a painting by Paulus
Cuyps come from English collec- Wheelock remarked upon the noble Potter of a spotted horse in a land-
tions/' Wheelock explained. "Stubbs quality of the horse standing in a scape. "In the inventories of Potter's
certainly knew Cuyp paintings - they landscape. Artists such as Calraet father there is a reference to this
were all over England." were familiar with the writings of painting of a 'Liberty, or a horse by
Dutch artists like Cuyp and biographer Karel van Mander, who the old Potter'/' added Wheelock.
Calraet conceived of glorious, light- once wrote that "the most noble, the "There is also an emblem in Dutch
filled landscapes that celebrated the most highly prized kind of all live- culture that an unbridled horse
Dutch countryside as a new stock [is] namely the obliging, spirit- means Liberty."
11 Arcadia" (the pastoral region in ed horse. Noble, I say, for many fine "If we think of this painting and
ancient Greece celebrated in classical traits have been observed in horses, this idea in the context of what we
and Renaissance literature). After that remain as faithful as hounds to were talking about with Cuyp ... this
achieving independence from Spain their master - their sovereign pride painting takes on a completely dif-
in 1648, the Dutch saw their Republic cannot be crushed." ferent role and significance than just
at the dawn of a Golden Age. Cuyp 11 And you feel that sense of pride a horse in a landscape. It means
painted a scene of riders on horse- in this horse," said Wheelock, refer- something else. It stands for our
back observing the ruins of Ubbergen ring again to the Calraet painting. struggles and efforts to become a
Castle, which was destroyed by the "You sense that what the artist has new people and land with our own
Dutch in the late 16th century to keep done is to capture something of the sense of laws and government...It is
it out of Spanish hands. "You see feel of the sovereign pride of this not a portrait of a horse," Wheelock
paintings from 1650 onwards of peo- horse standing in the landscape concluded. "It stands for the
ple going on horseback [to look at alone." Dutchness of a Dutch world."
-4 -The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009
Hoofbeats and American History:
Currier & Ives Exhibition Opens
On March 12, the National
Sporting Library opened the exhibi-
tion, The Story of Harness Racing by
Currier & Ives. On loan from the
Harness Racing Museum and Hall
of Fame in Goshen, N.Y., the exhibi-
tion features thirty lithographs
which document the birth and
development of harness racing -the
most popular spectator sport of its
day-in 19th-century America.
Corey Piper, Curatorial Assistant
for the Mellon Collections at the
Virginia Museum of Fir:ie Arts,
Richmond, Va., delivered an inform-
ative illustrated lecture, "Harness
Racing on Stone."
American printmakers Nathaniel
Currier (1813-1888) and James
Merritt Ives (1824-1895) produced
more than 700 prints of harness rac-
ing subjects. As Piper explained, the
rise in popularity of the sport of har-
ness racing paralleled its depiction After James Henry Wright (American, 1813- meet or surpass a "standard" time
in art. Currier & Ives' prints 1883) for a one-mile heat; hence the word
Rysdyk's Hambletonian
expressed the "American-ness" of 1876 "Standardbred" became the name of
harness racing, and some prints Lithograph the trotting and pacing breed.
depicted its champion horses and 25 x 33 inches Harness races became important
caricatured the sport. Others senti- The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, spectacles at county fairs, and by the
Goshen, N.Y.
mentalized country life in an 1870's, the sport was well-estab-
increasingly urban America. lished. By the turn-of-the-century,
Harness racing in America origi- could be easily run on the road, thus harness horses had broken the 2:00
nated in New England. "The avoiding the corrupting world of the minute mile mark.
Puritans found certain aspects of track. In addition, races against the Unlike Thoroughbred racing,
Thoroughbred racing objectionable, clock were believed to be of a more often called "the Sport of Kings,"
and banned the sport in many parts moral nature, for their goal was the harness racing had a populist and
of New England in the 18th-century. improvement of times, rather than democratic aspect that made it deter-
But races among trotters, however, head-to-head competition," said
escaped the Puritans' scorn, for they Piper. Horses and drivers raced to continued on page 9
Margriet Langenberg and her partner, Joseph Manson, with Lena Lundh Jacqueline B. Mars, Vice Chairman of Board of Directors, with lecturer,
Corey Piper of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009 -5 -
H.R.H. the Prince of Wales Receives
National Sporting Library Chairman and
Curator at Clarence House in London
Directors of The National
Sporting Library
On January 28, T.R.H. the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall
102 The Plains Road received Mr. and Mrs. Manuel H. Johnson of Upperville, Va., and Mr. and Mrs.
Post Office Box 1335 F. Turner Reuter, Jr., of Aldie, Va., at Clarence House in London, England.
Middleburg, Virginia 20118-1335 Manuel H. Johnson serves as Chairman of the Board and F. Turner Reuter, Jr., as
Curator of Fine Arts of the National Sporting Library.
OFFICERS
Reuter and Johnson presented the Prince of Wales with a limited edition,
Manuel H. Johnson
numbered copy of Reuter's book, Animal and Sporting Artists in America. A sec-
Chairman
ond copy of the book was inscribed to the Prince's mother, Her Majesty Queen
Nancy H. Parsons
Elizabeth II, which was offered as a contribution to the collections of the Royal
President & CEO
Library at Windsor Castle.
Jacqueline B. Mars
In 2008, the Library published Animal and Sporting Artists in America, the first
Vice Chairman
scholarly reference work devoted to American animal and sporting artists ever
Charles T. Akre, Jr.
published, containing the biographies of over 2,000 individuals.
Treasurer
Karen Halver
Secretary
DIRECTORS
Mimi Abel Smith
Charles T. Akre, Jr.
Thomas H. Anderson, Jr.
Arthur W. Arundel
Donald G. Calder
John Coles
Edward P. Evans
Timothy J. Greenan, M.D.
Helen K. Groves
Manuel H. Johnson
Jacqueline B. Mars
Clarke Ohrstrorn
Jacqueline L. Ohrstrorn
Dr. Betsee Parker
F. Turner Reuter, Jr.
Peter Winants (honorary)
Dana and F. Turner Reuter, Jr., with Mary and Manuel H. Johnson in front of Clarence House, London.
THE NATIONAL SPORTING
LIBRARY NEWSLETTER The British Monarchy's passion for equestrian and field sports has driven
(ISSN 1068-2007) aristocratic tastes for sporting life and art for over five centuries, making the
Number 91, Spring 2009 Royal Family among the foremost patrons in the history of the genre. This love
of sport had a profound influence on American life and art.
Published by the
The Royal Collections include works by the English naturalist Mark Catesby
National Sporting Library
(ca.1682-1749), whose drawings for The Natural History of Carolina, Florida and the
Tel. [phone] · www.nsl.org
Bahamas (published in 1749) represent the first major illustrated record of North
Elizabeth M. Tobey, Ph.D. American wildlife. These paintings are among the first works of art to show
Editor,
how the development of American art and sporting life has been deeply linked
Director of Communications & Research
to English culture from the earliest days of our Nation's history. Other American
Nancy: H. Parsons
artists in Reuter' s book who studied or worked in Britain include John Singleton
President & CEO
Copley and Edward Troye.
Karen Halver
The Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall received the Johnsons and Reuters
Assistant to the President
in the downstairs study of Clarence House. Clarence House, which stands
Lisa Campbell
beside St James's Palace, was built in 1825 for Prince William Henry, Duke of
Librarian
Clarence, and serves as the official residence of the Prince of Wales.
F. Turner Reuter, Jr.
During the audience, Johnson and Reuter discussed the historic relationship
Curator of Fine Arts
between English and American sporting art, their shared love for country life,
Brenna Elliott
and the preservation of classical architecture. The Prince also mentioned his
Curatorial Assistant
organic farming initiatives through his food company, Duchy Originals, and his
Judy Sheehan
working organic garden and farm at his country residence, the Highgrove Estate
Office Manager
near Tetbury in Gloucestershire.
-6 -The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009
Special Events and Other Benefits of Giving
at Ivy Circle and Chairman's Council Levels
By joining or renewing your con- tiful Warm Springs, Va., thanks to the
tribution to the Ivy Circle and generosity of Mrs. George L.
Chairman's Council, not only do Ohrstrom, Jr. Please contact John
you have the satisfaction of support- Coles at [email protected]
ing the Library's mission of preserv- for more information on this year's
ing and sharing the literature and dates.
art of field sports, but you may also Chairman's Council and Ivy
look forward to some very special Circle members receive invitations
events. to enjoy private receptions at
In 2009, the Library will continue evening events at the Library and
its Treasures of the Rare Book Room the Museum of Sporting Art at Vine
series for members of the Hill. All donors at the Guardian
Chairman's Council and Ivy Circle. level and above receive invitations
In May, bookbinders Jill Deiss and to our exhibit openings.
Dee Evetts of Winchester, Va., will For more information on giving
be giving an illustrated talk levels, please visit our website at
"History on Hand: 16th- through www.nsl.org/ membership.html or
19th-Century Bindings, Paper, and contact Nancy H. Parsons, President
Bookbinder Jill Deiss will discuss the Library's
Illustrations from the F. Ambrose rare books, such as this 17th-century manuscript, and CEO, at 540-687-6542 x 30 or
Clark Rare Book Room." Deiss will "Scritti di Cavaleria," by Valerio Piccardini. [email protected].
be highlighting some of the oldest
and most fascinating books in the
Library's collection providing a pri-
vate "insider's tour" of selected
items from the rare book room.
William Secord, Director of the
William Secord Gallery in New York
City, will address the Chairman's
Council and Ivy Circle in October
on the history of the dog in art.
Secord is the author of numerous
books and exhibition catalogues on
dog painting, and will sign copies of
his new book, Dog Painting: A
History of the Dog in Art, published
in February. This promises to be a
very popular event.
In November, Ivy Circle mem-
bers will be invited to a special din-
ner with the Board of Directors host-
ed by Jacqueline B. Mars. The
keynote speaker at the dinner will
be M.L. Biscotti, author of Paul
Brown: Master of Equine Art and
national authority on sporting
books. The talk will include com-
ments on the Library's newly-
acquired Inaugural Llangollen Race
Meeting 1931, sketches that Paul
Brown made for Mr. and Mrs. John
Hay Whitney. The sketchbook was
given by Helen Kleberg Groves in
April 2008.
Current members of the
Chairman's Council and Ivy Circle
are invited to a private hunt with the
Bath County Hounds (with lodging
and meals) for three days near beau-
The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009 -7 -
Recent Book Donations
Dogs in art - Mrs. Frances M. Dulaney, Somerset, Va., Dressage - Paul Belasik, Dillsburg, Pa., donated a signed
donated a new copy of The Dog: 5000 Years of the Dog in copy of his new book, A Search for Collection: Science and
Art by Tasmin Pickeral (2008), published in London by Art in Riding (2009), and signed copies of his previous
Merrell Publishers. It's a beautiful and valuable reference books The Essential Paul Belasik and Dressage for the 21st
for the collection of sporting art literature. Century.
Foxhunting verse - James W. Symington, Washington, Boxed set - Libby Stokes, Castle Rock, Colo., donated a
D.C., donated a signed limited edition of Reynard the Fox; two-volume boxed set "Rhubarb": The Diary of a
or the Ghost of Heath Run by John Masefield, illustrated by Gentleman's Hunter by J. Stanley Reeve, second edition
G.D. Amour, 1921. (1988), and Covert-Side Courtship by Katharine Roosevelt
Reeve, second edition (1988). Both books and the slipcase
History of Dog Painting - William Secord, New York,
are bound in red cloth with gilt lettering and devices.
N.Y., donated a copy of his newly published book, Dog
Painting: A History of the Dog in Art, 2nd edition. Secord Horse Fairs - Noel Mullins, County Dublin, Ireland,
will be giving a lecture and signing copies of this book at donated a signed copy of the new book he authored, The
the NSL on October 8. Origins of Irish Horse Sales & Horse Fairs: 3,000 Years of
Selling Irish Horses (2008).
Sporting books - Betsy Smith and Gordon Smith Jr.,
donated approximately 75 books from the estate of their
father, Gordon G. Smith, of mostly 20th century foxhunt-
ing books, in excellent condition.
Equestrian books - Sally Ike, Old Wick, N.J., donated a
collection of 36 foxhunting and horsemanship classics.
Autobiography - Ben McC. Mo1se, Charleston, S.C.,
donated a signed copy of his autobiography Ramblings of
a Lowcountry Game Warden: A Memoir, (2008).
Upperville film - Northern Arizona University, Cline
Library, Flagstaff, Ariz., donated a 16mm film, "The
Upperville Show" (c. 1970).
Books & photos - Deborah Pritchard, Middleburg, Va.,
donated Wallace's Monthly, Vols. 1-3 (Oct. 1875 - Dec.
1877); Tomorrow's Champions (1946) and A Touch of
Greatness (1945) by C. W. Anderson; Hoofbeats: Drawings
and Comments (1938) by Warren T. Halpin; and 25 8x10
black and white photos and one color transparency of
Paul Brown illustrations.
Sporting books - Virginia Fout, Los Angeles, Calif.,
donated seven first-edition children's books written and
illustrated by C. W. Anderson, Fly Fishing in Salt Water
H. Sunbury after W. Dickinson, "How to be run away with," 1786. From
Geoffrey Gambado. An Academy for Grown Horseman (1788). Donated by (1986) by Lefty Kreh, Fly-Fishing Tales: Literary Bait by
Katrina Becker. Fishing Authors (1994), and New Zealand Pony Club Manual
No. 2: C+, B, A and H Certificates (1985) by Elaine Knox-
Sporting collection - Katrina Becker, Aiken, S. C., donat-
Thompson and Suzanne Dickens.
ed 47 books on horsemanship, racing and foxhunting. A
very special collection, her books date from 1788 to 1998. Equestrian - Mrs. Lee Lynn, Winchester, Va., donated
approximately 200 equestrian and sporting books from
Dogs - Susan McHugh, Auburn, Me., donated a signed
the estate of her son, H. Bailey Lynn.
copy of the book she authored, Dog (2004), which
explores canines through history, mythology, and their Racing photos - Bill Eaton, Berryville, Va., donated a col-
relationship with humans. lection of black and white photos from 1960s document-
ing local race horses and personalities.
Hunt history - Collin McNeil, Chester Springs, Pa.,
donated a signed copy of his new book, Bright Hunting Sporting periodicals - Jackie Burke, Orlean, Va., donated
Morn: The 125th Anniversary of Radnor Hunt. 29 issues of The Field, published in Great Britain, from the
1930's, 1960's, and 1970's; and Rules of Racing 1938 by the
Sporting art - F. Turner Reuter, Jr., Middleburg, Va.,
Kentucky State Racing Commission.
donated two books and one video on American sporting
artist, Frank W. Benson, and three books on other Cavalry periodical - D. L. Fleischmann, The Plains, Va.,
American artists. donated the Crossed Sabers, Dec. 2008/Jan. 2009.
-8 -The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009
Unknown artist
Currier & Ives Straw Yard
Unknown publishing date
Lithograph
continued from page 5
11.2 x 15.7 inches
The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of
minedly "American." Fame, Goshen, N.Y.
Hambletonian (foaled in 1849),
the foundation sire of the highlighting his humble origins,"
Standardbred breed, was purchased remarked Piper. "The story of
by Jacob Rysdyk, a stablehand, from Rysdyk and his famous horse fits
his employer for $125. Although neatly into the American myth of the
Hambletonian trotted a modest 2:48 self-made man rising from humble
for the mile, he was a prolific sire, beginnings to achieve prosperity."
and all current Standardbred race- The print medium of lithography
horses trace their lineage to him. (from the Greek lithos for "stone")
Currier & Ives' print of was invented in Germany in 1798
Hambletonian (after the painting by and made its way to the United
James H. Wright) was made after the States by 1822. Currier and Ives
stallion's death in 1876. Wright's established their lithography studio
portrait departs from the British tra- in New York City in 1834 and pro-
dition of depicting champion duced over 7,000 prints in a wide
Thoroughbreds amidst a bucolic range of subject matter. A lithogra-
landscape. "Hambletonian, on the phy shop such as Currier & Ives'
other hand, is shown in a simple sta- could produce many prints from
ble with his grey-bearded owner, the very durable lithographic
stones and an assembly-line of col-
orists hand-colored the resultant
prints.
With the advent of the Industrial
Revolution and the growth of
American cities, urban dwellers
could enjoy the landscapes, county
fairs, and rural life through Currier
and Ives' images. Humorous prints
(in the tradition of British artists
Henry Alken and Isaac Cruikshank)
lampooned the sport and the "greed
After Thomas Worth (American, 1834-1917) and corrupting influences of the
Change of Drivers racetrack."
1876
The exhibition will be on view in
10.15 x 15.1 inches
the Forrest E. Mars, Sr. Exhibit Hall
The Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame,
Goshen, N.Y. through July 3.
The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009 -9 -
Book Reviews high school movements originated with
Federico Grisone in 16th-century Italy
and most are not part of modern com-
petition dressage.
Belasik argues that modem competi-
tion dressage has strayed too far from the
hue collection of the old masters, which
involves the shifting of the horse's weight
onto the hindquarters. Belasik correlates
his own studies on the biomechanics of
collection vvith the teachings of such early
riding masters such as Fran<;;ois de la
Gueriniere and William Cavendish, the
Duke of Newcastle. "The longer I train
horses, the more I believe there are not
infinite methodologies that will produce a
sound, collected dressage horse," Belasik
contends.
Belasik collaborated with scientist,
Dr. Hilary Clayton, on measuring the
force exerted by the horse in executing a
levade, in which the horse rises upon his
hindquarters, holding his position for
several seconds. Belasik brought his which unfortunately were eaten by the
horse, St. Graal, to the McPhail Center, a settlers during the starving time.
biomechanics laboratory at Michigan The story proceeds telling of the
State University. The study confirmed foundation sires and a discussion of the
Paul Belasik, A Search for Collection: Belasik' s contention that true collection bloodlines and the leaders who import-
Science and Art in Riding. London: involves a shift of force onto the ed, raced, and bred Thoroughbreds. The
J.A. Allen, 2009. 128 pages. hindquarters. "The force on St. Graal's usual figures are here - John Randolph
www.paulbelasik.com. forelegs did not increase as he went from of Roanoke, William Ransom Johnson
piaffe to levade," writes Belasik, "Instead, of Chesterfield County, the Taylor fami-
In this fascinating book, accom- the muscles of the hindquarters, ly of Mount Airy, John Hoomes, John
plished dressage rider and trainer, Paul abdomen and back pulled his front end Baylor, and Francis Thornton, all of
Belasik, explores the concept of collec- up and back over his hind legs." Caroline County, the Lees of West-
tion. Belasik trains horses in all levels of A Search for Collection is extremely read- moreland County, Ralph Wormeley of
dressage at his Pennsylvania Riding able, and Belasik, a masterful teacher, Middlesex County, Mann Page of
Academy at Lost Hollow Farm in explains his theories through stories and Gloucester County, William Fitzhugh of
Dillsburg, Pa., and is also among the analogies. Belasik includes chapters on Stafford County, Alexander Spotswood
few practitioners in the United States of the teachings of the old masters, the social of Spotsylvania County and legendary
high school (haute ecole) dressage. The interactions of wild horses, and exercises trainer, Green Berry Williams. Portraits
for developing collection. as well as discussions are provided for
Belasik has also produced a DVD, some of these men as well as their
The Lost Quixotes: The Art of Collecting places of abode, their horses, and their
the Dressage Horse, which includes personal relationship to the turf. Currier
footage of the McPhail Center study & Ives prints and illustrations of horses
and interviews with scientists Dr. from the American Turf Register and
Hilary Clayton and Dr. Jay Kirkpatrick. Sporting Magazine are reproduced in the
book.
-Elizabeth M. Tobey
Having begun at Jamestown, the
story continues through the cavalry
Virginia C. Johnson and Barbara
during the Civil War, the establishment
Crookshanks. Virginia Horse
of the Jockey Clubs, and the standardi-
Racing: Triumphs of the Turf. zation of the racing records. Finally it
Charleston, S.C. and London: The concludes with steeplechase races,
History Press: 2008. Colonial Downs, and Secretariat.
This little volume could be given to
This brief, highly readable, paper- someone largely unaware of the subject
back volume covers highlights of in order to stimulate interest. The story
Virginia turf history in just over 150 is really brought to life, not falling to
pages. An unusual feature is the focus earth with stultifying racing statistics.
on five of the Great North-South Match The authors make good use of sources
Races not usually covered in similar and tell the story simply enough that
volumes. The book is attractively pro- they might consider a children's book
duced with both the expected and unex- as well. The illustrations are an impor-
pected illustrations in ten brief chapters. tant feature and the twenty dollar price
It begins with the arrival of six mares is very reasonable.
and a stallion at Jamestown in 1611, -Pegram Johnson, III
-10 -The NSL Newsletter, Spring 2009