New Landmark Book on Saddles...

[Mark Choate]

{Mods, please relocate this at your discretion}

I am pleased to announce, on behalf of all of us who love the historic evolution of the saddle, that former Cavalry Moderator and Approved Vendor, Ken Knopp has finished his landmark book, “American Riding and Work Saddles…and Horse Culture 1790 – 1920” and it should be ready for sale by the second week of November of this year. This fully footnoted, hardbound book will contain nearly 300 pages of information and over 500 color photos in addition to the massive amount of description and discussion on saddles.

As you can imagine, this book is the result of years of study and research and thousands of hours of work, in an attempt to show the beginnings and evolution of not only modern saddles but the how, where, what, when and who of the saddles that were used in the Civil War, before and after. Those of us who have portrayed CW cavalrymen (especially an early war CS impression) know the heavy influence of the civilian saddle in what was ridden by the men as they headed off to war and in many cases through their involvement of the war. This book answers so many questions as to what they rode and where it came from.
Ken is no stranger to most of you and as such you know the quality of his work in the past with his other books on CS and US saddles. This book will work in concert with those and will take the reader even further into understanding the saddles, tack and related equipment. This will be a must have for any serious student of the history of the Cavalry or of Horsemanship in general.

The book will cost $65 each but advance orders will receive a discount. You can find out more about the ordering process and can see an overview on Ken’s new website: www.americansaddles.net

Please take a look at this and I know Ken will have more information when the books are ready to ship in November.

Respectfully,

[Tom Craig]

Re: New landmark book on saddles...

That’s great news!

Tom Craig
1st Maine Cavalry

[Mark Choate]

Re: New Landmark Book on Saddles...

Hello "Saddle lovers"

As an update to my message above on Ken Knopp's new book, I can tell you that it is officially out and it exceeds all expectations. Over eight years in the making and research, this book answers questions and explains the evolution that brought about the modern day saddle but of especial interest to us, those saddles of the 19th century that were prevalent leading up to, during and after the war.
Was good to get to see some of you at the Civil War show in Franklin, TN. last weekend as Ken had a table set up for the first exposure of the new book. We sold lots of books and there seemed to be a great deal of interest surrounding the intro.

To give you more of a taste, here is an overview from his web site….

Encompasses the origins, history and development of the major American “riding” and “working” saddle patterns, the saddle making industry and the American horse “culture” during the critical growth period of our country’s expansion from the Revolution to 1920. It includes the roots of the Spanish and English influences, the unfolding evolution of variable American saddle pedigrees and their manufacture, as well as the story of the rise and demise of the American equine’s importance from the late 18th through early 20th centuries.
This is NOT an effort to recapture the American military saddle. That has been done quite well by others although there is an analytical overview of the influential saddles developed during the Civil War years and it touches on the military saddles’s influence. However, it will cover all of the major American horned and unhorned saddle patterns: i.e. Spring seat, American, English, Wagon saddles, Somerset, Attakapas, Spanish, Half Spanish, Hope, Texas, California, Kilgore, Morgan, Morgan Muley, Kentucky Spring Seat, Wilbourne/Buena Vista, multiple Stock “Cowboy” saddles including Texas, Cheyenne, Pueblo, Miles City, Applehorn, etc.) and their California (and Spanish/Mexican Vaquero and Californio) influences, Ladies side saddles, Ladies Astride saddles, Princess saddles, Children’s/Youth saddles, Park & Police saddles, Racing, Polo and Pad saddles, and commercial military saddles. Many others including some well-known national commercial patterns and regional makes will also be included (Shaftoe, Shackleford, Granger, Ferguson, McBride, Richardson, Ferguson, Florida, etc.).
Other historical topics related to the saddle manufacturing industry are covered as well: trees, leather, hardware, Patents, production, exports/imports, other horse related topics including horse equipments, the carriage industry, prison manufacture, the impact of catalog marketing, influential persons and regions, etc. In essence…the role of the American saddle during the “Golden Age of the Horse”.
Of particular note will be the inclusion of excerpts from the VERY FIRST American saddle catalog. Commissioned c. 1858 by the iconic Hartford Connecticut saddle making firm of the T. Smith & Co., (amazingly, still in business today as Smith & Worthington) this catalog was entirely made up of watercolor illustrations. The saddle patterns and styles that were offered by this firm prior to the Civil War are nothing less than incredible. Its discovery and the book’s analysis of the broader saddle making industry will most certainly stand prior conventional wisdom and understanding of American saddle patterns, on its head!

Also, this is an excerpt from the Forward to Ken’s book as written by Historian B. Bryon Price…..

“Ken Knopp’s comprehensive study of American riding saddles in their heyday, an impressive accomplishment! That Knopp is a tenacious and skillful researcher and a gifted writer on historical horse gear is evident in his earlier work on military tack….In (this) history of American riding saddles, the author successfully tackles a more complex and nuanced story. Besides demonstrating an impressive command of his sources, readers will find the author’s writing style accessible, his information reliable and his interpretation convincing. Time to saddle up for an informative and entertaining ride!” B. Byron Price: American West Historian, Author, former Curator of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Buffalo Bill Historical Center, current Director of the Charles M. Russell Center for the Study of Art of the American West, and Director of the University of Oklahoma Press.

Order your copy at www.americansaddles.net You can also access it though his well known web site (and an AC sponsor) at www.confederatesaddles.com By the way, he has a discount Christmas special right now! Check it out!

Thank you,
Mark

[Renvilleranger]

Re: New Landmark Book on Saddles...

I know that this is an old thread, but I got the book and am absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of information in it. If you like saddles or horse culture in the 19th century this book is for you!!

[Mark Choate]

Re: New Landmark Book on Saddles...

Thank you, Andy for the reply.

Yes, this is a landmark book and to my knowledge, there is nothing out there that compares with it.
Ken will be very pleased to hear how happy you are with his work.

Mark