Metal Horses I Have Known

One of the most enduring symbols of true Western culture is that of the horse. To be accurate, the horse is a symbol, a reminder of what transportation was like pre-Henry Ford. Over the centuries, people have relied on their horses for their livleihood, their entertainment, and always their main means of transportation. The early industrial cultures developed breed of horses that were suited for heavy labor, while the desert peoples developed swift, durable breeds such as the Arabian. When the early explorers came to North America, horses came with them, and since their arrival centuries ago, and the intermingling of the bloodlines with the wild horses of the plains, uniquely North American bloodlines have developed.

The early cowboys, like the early Europeans, used horses for work and pleasure. The more creative amongst them, used them as models for art, or literature. With the arrival of the many modern industrial processes that we have now, the horse has become a universal collectible.

From the great movie horses like Trigger, Silver, Toronado, Champion, Scout, and Buttermilk to the legendary racing horses whose names bring nods of aknowledgement from racing fans everywhere. Secretariat, Man Of War, Pharlap, and Sea Biscuit have legacies and descendants far after their racing days.

Some chose to acknowledge the famous equines in paintings, lithographs, and models. Today even, Breyer horses are universally known for their quality and taxonomic accuracy. But, not all artists worked in clay, oil, or canvas, some worked in brass, tin, and steel. These men, we recognize now, along with Carolyn Martin in her new book, "Metal Horse Collections".

Carolyn Martin is a true collector. Her passion lies in the collecting of the thousands of metal horses produced over the years, and her collector friends have aided her in this self published book. [Bookcoverscan.jpe] Packed with over 1300 photos, and prices, the book includes sections on the care of your horse, a glossary, and an index explaining her unique numbering system (similar to Dewey Decimal). This perhaps, is the best part of the book, just as Dewey faced a monumental task when he developed his system, Carolyn too had much research to do. The result breaks this broad category down into Mounted soldiers, Knights, Harness Horses, Various sundry items, and Jewelry. Whether or not it becomes more commonly used, only time will tell. Having written a book on collecting, I appreciate the effort and time she has put into this volume, and highly recommend it for any collector.

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