Ralph's Library consists of close to 1,000 items related to Standardbred history, racing, bloodlines, art and collectables. Included among these volumes are research materials dating back to the early 1800's. There is an old saying (paraphrased) that "he who does not learn from the past is bound to repeat it", an observation illustrated countless times in the pages of Ralph's Library. All listed items, (and many unlisted) are for sale, so if you're looking to establish or augment your own Library, E-mail (bottom of the page) me with your wishes.

 

The Library List

Periodicals - Bound Volumes


  • Horseman & Fair World: Bound volumes of this weekly magazine. 1953-1996 complete; part years spanning 1938-1952.

  • Horseman & Fair World: Bound Christmas editions 1928-1950; 1967-1982. Various loose editions spanning 1953-1993.

  • Hoof Beats: Bound editions of this monthly magazine, 1950-1996 complete. Some volumes contain two years.

  • Harness Horse: Bound weeklies spanning 1939-1947. Featuring the writings of the immortal John Hervey.


    Loose Periodicals

  • Hoof Beats: Over 200 editions, spanning 1957-1996.

  • Harness Horse: Christmas editions 1940-1956 inclusive, various from 1958-1978 (41 in all).

  • Horseman & Fair World: Christmas editions (31 in all) from 1932-1993.

    Note: Loose editions are available as a group, or as singles, to fill "holes" in your library. Please e-mail your needs.

     

     


    Reference Materials

  • U.S.T.A. Sires & Dams: 1948-49 to 1995, plus the complete set of U.S.T.A. Year Books 1939 to 1995.

  • U.S.T.A. Sires & Dams: The exceedingly rare 1943, '44, '45 and '46 Sires & Dams. E-mail your interest in these. Also, various years, nearly complete sets of S&D's, Y.B.'s et cetera.

  • Wallace Year Books: 36 volumes of the Wallace Year Books, #'s 3 thru 38 (1887-1921), plus 1927, 1931.

  • Complete Trotting & Pacing Record: Published in 1884, Walter Chester summarizes all races trotted or paced in North America "from the earliest dates until 1883", including double-team races. Rare.

  • Performance Microfiche: 1973-1995. Examine the complete chart lines of any horse that has raced in North America in the past 23 years. Microfiche are alphabetical, and are housed in special "easle binders". Includes your choice of a Bell & Howell or NCR viewer.

  • Harness Speedlines: Margaret Neal & Ethel Ryan's classic volume illustrates every maternal family that produced a 2:00 trotter or pacer (prior to 1983), and traces the family back to its "tap-root" mare. Rare!

    Catalogues

  • Kentucky Sales Co. (Tattersalls): 1930s thru 1960's, 1980 to present.

  • Indianapolis Speed Sale: 1936 (Hal Dale), 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941 (Adios).

  • Walnut Hall Yearlings: 1931 to 1959.

  • Standardbred (Harrisburg): 1959, 1961, 1980 to present.

    Various other sales catalogues (Fasig-Tipton, Fall Classic, Octoberfest, Ontario & Ohio sales, various seasonal mixed sales, etc.) from the late 1970's forward.

    Bibliography

  • Ainslie: Complete Guide To Harness Racing (1980)

  • Bisman: Cardigan Bay (1972)

  • Bradburn: Breeding and Developing the Trotter (1906)

  • Busby: Recollections of Men and Horses (1907)

  • Duncan: Golden Hoofs (Goldsmith Maid) (1938)

  • Evans & Pikelny: Rambling Willie (1992)

  • Gocher: Trotalong-Pacealong-Racealong (a trilogy-1928-30)

  • Helm: American Trotters and Roadsters (1878)

  • Henry: Born To Trot (1971)

  • Hervey: American Harness Racing (1948)

      The American Trotter (1948)

  • Hill: Gentleman Joe- Joe O'Brien (1975)

      Single G- The Horse Time Forgot (1971)

  • Howe: Stable Conversation (1900)

  • Lansford: Horse Breeders Directory (1890)

  • Marvin: Training The Trotting Horse (1893)

  • McCarr: The Kentucky Harness Horse (1978)

  • Varola: The Tesio Myth (1984)

      As well as these books and reference materials, Ralph's Library contains a number of limited edition prints, and other works of Standardbred Art, laminated Currier & Ives placemats, and a plethora of other items of interest. Feel free to contact me through the e-mail connection on this page, if you have any thoughts or comments that you want to relate.

     

    Your comments and questions are welcome



    The Directory


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