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

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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.

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.

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.