[Horses]. Collection of Photographs and Ephemera Relating to a Soldiers and Sailors Carnival and Field Day.

€ 850,00

Centered around a Carnival and Field Day, this collection features photographs of, or correspondence from, some famous characters: Tom Mix (an actor in early Western movies, who performed at the event), F. W. Blanchard (an early Los Angeles developer, first president of the Hollywood Bowl, and director of the event), Miss Hessie Hallett and her horse Arabjay (performers), James D. Phelan (politician, civic leader, and banker, who contributed personnel to the event), Kaiser Wilhelm II (photographed in the form of an effigy hung at the event), and William Taft (who, via telegram, regrets that he cannot attend). Offers a cursory glance at the event’s inner workings, with telegrams, special ticket stubs and lunch coupons for participants (offered by The Patriotic Mothers of Sons in Service), a copy of the program and list of organizers, and a typed financial statement. But the highlight - and focus - of the collection are the photographs of the beautiful horses that were featured in the rodeo events, races, and fancy mounts. A day-long extravaganza that included marching bands, military maneuvers, wrestling, boxing, tug-of-war, and more, this glimpse at a moment of grandstanding captures more than a singular event in California’s (and America’s) history, as whispers of the tumultuous time are discernable throughout.