The Best of the Widener Collection: Images from Racing's Golden Era [Hardcover]

Blood-Horse Publications (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2008

The Best of the Widener Collection showcases never-before-published photography from racing's golden era, featuring rare and historic photographs from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. More than 200 "best-of" photos, many shot by H.C. Hemment, a prominent photographer of the era, are included. Included in the collection are scenes from the major New York tracks as well as images of the main stakes races; stars of the day, such as Domino, Henry of Navarre, Clifford, and Dan Patch; and the movers and shakers of the racing world jockeys, trainers, and owners.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: Eclipse Press (October 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581501943
• ISBN-13: 978-1581501940
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,833,898 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History Comes Alive on Every Page, November 2, 2008

By 

Bicycle Day - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Best of the Widener Collection: Images from Racing's Golden Era (Hardcover)

These extremely rare and historic images date from the late 19th century to when the salvos were hurled in World War One.

One of the sport's first premier racing photographers, John C. Hemment, produced the bulk of the collection. His subjects ranged from the great African-American jockey Isaac Murphy to racing stars Colin and Sysonby and the famous - and infamous - celebrities of the sparking era in "The Sport of Kings."

This beautiful book contains more than 200 "best-of" photos that have been culled from the more than 1,000 in the entire collection, bequeathed to The Blood-Horse magazine by Joseph E. Widener. It is American history that comes alive on each page.

5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible collection, December 3, 2008

By 

Elise (Magnolia, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of the Widener Collection: Images from Racing's Golden Era (Hardcover)

The Widener collection provides readers with a never-before-seen glimpse into New York racing and society in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The incredible photography of John C. Hemment truly captures an era gone by - from the lifestyle to the horses to the people involved. Also included are humorous photographs of and the stories behind "racetrack characters," and a section dedicated to the Sporting Life of other equestrian pastimes such as driving, polo, pacing, and foxhunting. A delightful and insightful collection for any horse enthusiast or history buff.

5.0 out of 5 stars A glorious window into the excitement-packed days of horse racing's yesteryear, November 8, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Best of the Widener Collection: Images from Racing's Golden Era (Hardcover)

Best of the Widener Collection is an eye-catching collection of never-before-published, black-and-white photography from the golden age of horse racing. Taken in the years from the late nineteenth century to the inception of World War I, Best of the Widener Collection shows 200 of the most splendid photographs from the nearly 1,000 that were in a collection given to "The Blood-Horse" by Joseph E. Widener. Taken by one of the earliest and greatest names in racetrack photography, John C. Hemment, the subjects range from renowned African-American jockey Isaac Murphy to images of nigh-unbeaten racing horses such as Sysonby at work or at rest, to portraits of distinguished trainers of the day such as Frank McCabe, and more. A glorious window into the excitement-packed days of horse racing's yesteryear.