Hobby history website take 2

[mumtaz]

This is a spin-off of the realism thread in the Arena. :)

The subject of a model horse history site has come up again, and I would love to see something like this really get off the ground this time around. I own modelhorsehistory.com already, so that's an easy to remember URL as a jumping off point.

In the past, some of the topics people have wanted to see covered were:

* Origins in the hobby on both sides of the pond
* Profiles of famous hobby movers and shakers (Marney Walerius, Linda Walter, etc)
* History of live and photo showing
* History of the resin revolution (and customizing in general)

I got into the hobby in the late 1980s and know a fair bit from that point forward (and I have a complete collection of JAHs and THHNs to help jog my memory), but I don't know enough about the earlier history of the hobby to really get started on this site save from what I've read. I would love to have help from anyone willing to contribute pictures, stories, anecdotes, whatever. If there's enough interest, I'd be happy to give contributors access to my web hosting so the site can be updated easily.

Thoughts? :bouncesnoman

[AMG]

I wrote this up to include in the Realism thread, but I'll drop it here, instead.

I've been trying to cover some of the “hobby history” stuff in my blog, at least as it relates to Breyer history, and my memories. (I was just talking about Marney in my last post!) My memories only go back to ca. 1978, though, and the hobby, in the U.S. at least, had been around for nearly two decades before then.

I've been trying to gather up some of this material and create an unofficial hobby archive, but it's hard because (a) folks are emotionally attached to it, and (b) some of the stuff has become collectible in and of itself. I literally cannot afford to buy old issues of MHSJ – and if any do turn up at an affordable price on MHSP or elsewhere, they get snapped up faster than bacon by a dog!

There's a lot of stuff out there – we're lucky that a lot of us are packrats – but I think at some point we have to divorce the monetary aspect from it. The value is in the context, anyway: the more context we have, the more value it acquires. Ephemera is just paper, without thoughful conservation and curating.

I don't necessarily think we need to begin with the concept of a written history, though: I think at this stage, we just need to excavate, and compile data. Save everything, no matter how inconsequential it seems: newsletters, fliers, photos, showbills, s/d lists, all of it.

Interviewing people has to become a priority: this is where data is being lost. Gather up all the old farts in the hobby we can still talk to, and talk to them. Record it, write it down. Basic questions to begin with:

When did you learn about the hobby?
What drew you to the hobby in the first place?
Who were your best hobby buddies?
Who were your hobby “idols”?
What were your favorite activities?
What clubs did you belong to?
What newsletters did you subscribe to?
When and where did you meet other hobbyists for the first time?
Tell me about your first, or most memorable live show experience.
Tell me about some of the more memorable characters you've met.
Tell me about your favorite, or best show horse.

And so on. Questions could be tailored to the interviewee. Customizing questions for customizers, that sort of thing. Perhaps an interview room or station could be set up at events to facilitate the interviewing process?

Let's worry about gathering and preserving the data now; the actual writing of the history can come later. (We'd need some time to process it all, anyway.)

Any web site that gets created would have to serve not just as an online archive of existing ephemera, but also as a place for others to share their personal remembrances, investigate leads, conduct online interviews, etc.

[mumtaz]

Let's worry about gathering and preserving the data now; the actual writing of the history can come later. (We'd need some time to process it all, anyway.)

Agreed 100%. Just getting the info consolidated in one easy to find place would be helpful. I really can't imagine a comprehensive history of the hobby in book form or anything like that, but an online archive of info on many aspects would be a terrific resource.

[yofi]

Well, can't help much with the actual history part since I onlt recently became involved in the hobby, but if you need someone to do interviews online or by phone/type up anything/etc., I'd be more than willing to help. :tiphat

[Keren]

I don't necessarily think we need to begin with the concept of a written history, though: I think at this stage, we just need to excavate, and compile data. Save everything, no matter how inconsequential it seems: newsletters, fliers, photos, showbills, s/d lists, all of it.



I have practically every hobby publication I've ever picked up from 1970 onwards - and some earlier too. A lot of it is British (natch), but I do have quite a stash of American stuff from 1977 onwards.

Keren

[anniemare]

I have a bunch of THHN issues I can contribute to someone :)

[mumtaz]

I have practically every hobby publication I've ever picked up from 1970 onwards - and some earlier too. A lot of it is British (natch), but I do have quite a stash of American stuff from 1977 onwards.

Keren

Would you be interested in putting together something about how the hobby began and evolved in the UK? All of my THHN mags are in my parents' basement 1100 miles away at the moment, but I'm pretty sure I have a photocopy of one of the articles you wrote that I think touched on UK hobby history a little. :)

[Keren]

Would you be interested in putting together something about how the hobby began and evolved in the UK? All of my THHN mags are in my parents' basement 1100 miles away at the moment, but I'm pretty sure I have a photocopy of one of the articles you wrote that I think touched on UK hobby history a little. :)

Absolutely no problem! I'll take to Jane and Caroline (our real 'foundation mares') and get more info from them too!

Keren

[mumtaz]

Awesome! Thanks so much! :woohoo

[Roseridge]

I have some issues of MHSJ and I have a huge (mostly unidentified) archive of photos from the ACMHA shows from the 80's and also some of Marney's photo albums from the 70's and 80's. These are in storage at the moment and I will need to dig them out.

Back in 1995, my dream was to have NAMHSA put such an archive together-- so that is what this little collection was aimed at. Marney's stuff came to me via the BFest auction in 1995. It is not complete, but it has lots of photos of the early hobby in Chicago and elsewhere.

[mumtaz]

Oh wow, Kate! That sounds like an amazing bunch of stuff!

[Intothesunstudio]

I have old magazines from the hobby that I would be happy to scan.

here is a list of what I have:

Model Horse Gazette:
May/June 1987
July /August 1988
November/Dec 1988

The Model Horse Trading Post
May/June 1992
Nov/Dec 1992

Equine Miniaturist
Nov/Dec 1991
Jan/Feb 1992
July/August 1992
November/Dec 1992
March/April1993
March/April 1994
Jan/Feb 1995

Some have neat Black and white photos of older models as well as ads for old shows like NESE and the Event that used to be held in upstate NY

[Intothesunstudio]

I have some issues of MHSJ and I have a huge (mostly unidentified) archive of photos from the ACMHA shows from the 80's and also some of Marney's photo albums from the 70's and 80's. These are in storage at the moment and I will need to dig them out.

Back in 1995, my dream was to have NAMHSA put such an archive together-- so that is what this little collection was aimed at. Marney's stuff came to me via the BFest auction in 1995. It is not complete, but it has lots of photos of the early hobby in Chicago and elsewhere.

I'd be interested in seeing this sort of stuff, Kate.

Maybe we could have a hobby get together in the Region to work on preserving history. Scanning things, taking notes etc. pizza party or something.

[Stacy]

I'd be interested in seeing this sort of stuff, Kate.

Maybe we could have a hobby get together in the Region to work on preserving history. Scanning things, taking notes etc. pizza party or something.

I'd be up for it, I have a decent little collection of older hobby mags :)

[desertnightcreations]

Just a suggestion, but please someone talk with Susan Bensema Young about hobby history. It is something she is passionate about and wants to support a model horse museum or at the very least a model horse history website.. She's out of town right now but I'm absolutely sure she'd love to donate her memories to such a project. we've talked many times about it..:treelights

[Roseridge]

Just a suggestion, but please someone talk with Susan Bensema Young about hobby history. It is something she is passionate about and wants to support a model horse museum or at the very least a model horse history website.. She's out of town right now but I'm absolutely sure she'd love to donate her memories to such a project. we've talked many times about it..:treelights

We've talked about it too-- I invited her to join the planning/gathering group when I started it a few years ago and she did join us by email for awhile too.

I know she is interested and she keeps really great records (as anyone who knows Sue knows!).

[Roseridge]

I'd be interested in seeing this sort of stuff, Kate.

Maybe we could have a hobby get together in the Region to work on preserving history. Scanning things, taking notes etc. pizza party or something.

Yeah-- now I gotta find it all in storage! :ninja

[Robin]

I'm moving to Region X in January, and would be glad to donate my typing skills, scanner, printer, or whatever to help. Heck, I'd even donate my house as a spot to do it, assuming RI isn't too far out of the way and it's after I've moved in. (Also assuming that two Siberian Huskies aren't detrimental to the cause). Hobby history is one of my absolute favorite topics!

[Intothesunstudio]

Robin, if you are moving to Newport you are only 20 minutes from me. Most hobby activities are in the north and western parts of MA, (roughly an hourto an hour and 45 minutes away) but there are other hobby events in CT, VT, NY and other places.

Personally, I think we should have a hobby event near Newport. I should look into some halls in nearby Middletown and Portsmouth! And if you offer up your place I'm sure people will come down. Everyone loves newport!

The model horse history website looks like it will be neat. I bet once those galleries are active, and photos are uploaded stories will start flying!

[mumtaz]

I got permission from Paula Hecker to put scans of stuff from THHN up on the site, so I'll get started with that after Christmas. :) I also created a Photobucket account for anyone who wants to contribute pix or scans to the site---feel free to make folders, etc. The username is modelhorsehistory and the password is history101. I'll save anything there onto my server as I get the site underway, but hopefully it's a handy storage place for the time being for any who want to use it. :)

ETA: For any scans from mags, tags indicating the mag name and date would be most excellent. :D

[jjbreyer]

This all sounds GREAT! Can't wait to see it when it starts to form. I know I have some older stuff as well (80's), I'll have to scan some of this stuff in.

Corrie, I'd be up for a model thing down in Newport area! That would be a lot of fun and could maybe combine it with a tour of one of the estates or something (the Breakers barns maybe???). Does Allie's still sell models? Maybe they'd be willing to help fund part of it to be a sponsor/host (kinda' like Guy's shows). Maybe in 2012 we can combine it with the Coaching Weekend. Think the Elms would have a room big enough for a show?? :laff

Robin, will be great to meet you in person at the shows in the area!

[Robin]

Robin, if you are moving to Newport you are only 20 minutes from me. Most hobby activities are in the north and western parts of MA, (roughly an hourto an hour and 45 minutes away) but there are other hobby events in CT, VT, NY and other places.

Personally, I think we should have a hobby event near Newport. I should look into some halls in nearby Middletown and Portsmouth! And if you offer up your place I'm sure people will come down. Everyone loves newport!

The model horse history website looks like it will be neat. I bet once those galleries are active, and photos are uploaded stories will start flying!

I'm game for anything near Newport! I'll actually be in Cranston, which is a bit closer to Providence (and very close to 95), but it's still right outside Newport as well. I'd be more than happy to offer up my house and computer resources for a hobby history gathering, and I promise loads of husky hair to go home with everyone :lol.

I'd be delighted to help with any hobby event in the area...I've contemplated hosting a live show, but I'm only going to be in the area for about 2 1/2 years (Go Navy!), and a live show would be something that I'd want to be able to make a long term commitment to if I did it. But if anyone wants to organize *anything*, count me in for helping out. :D I can't wait to move to New England...the hobby seems incredibly active up there, and I can't wait to meet many of you in person.

[Roseridge]

That is great you are coming to Region X, Robin! :woohoo

Newport sounds like a great venue if one can find a showhall that approaches being affordable! Hey-- maybe if the Navy doesn't mind, we can hold one on board the ship!:laff Yeah, right...I am sure they'd love that one!

[Roseridge]

Hey-- you know, I am having a show in January...Anyone who would like to bring some hobby history show and tell is very welcome! Let's get started on this!

I think this is something that showholders might want to do as a group-- if folks are coming to a show and someone has a scanner, there could be mass scanning parties! Imagine what you could rake in a BFest too!

PS Robin-- are you moving to RI before January 23rd?:toothy

[Keren]

Hey-- you know, I am having a show in January...Anyone who would like to bring some hobby history show and tell is very welcome! Let's get started on this!

I think this is something that showholders might want to do as a group-- if folks are coming to a show and someone has a scanner, there could be mass scanning parties! Imagine what you could rake in a BFest too!

PS Robin-- are you moving to RI before January 23rd?:toothy

Waah! This is unfair! It's too far for me ;)

Keren

[anniemare]

Only my horses will be there. But one of them is vintage :)

[Intothesunstudio]

I'll bring all of my older hobby 'zines with me to your show, Kate. You don't always need a scanner. I cheat and use my camera all the time. :) I just take the pictures at a larger size.

Robin, I know exactly where Cranston is. You're still not too far from me. I'm 30 minutes east of Providence.

I really need to see about using my church. I have to speak to our priest. We have a HUGE Parish center which would be great for hobby stuff.

My parents are going away in March for a week on another cruise. Perhaps since I wasn't able to do my show I could at least hold a hobby pot-luck get together.

[Intothesunstudio]

I got permission from Paula Hecker to put scans of stuff from THHN up on the site, so I'll get started with that after Christmas. :) I also created a Photobucket account for anyone who wants to contribute pix or scans to the site---feel free to make folders, etc. The username is modelhorsehistory and the password is history101. I'll save anything there onto my server as I get the site underway, but hopefully it's a handy storage place for the time being for any who want to use it. :)

ETA: For any scans from mags, tags indicating the mag name and date would be most excellent. :D


Added the first picture....what a surprise what the content is. :grin

[jjbreyer]

All this talk is getting me in the mood to set up the old computer and go through all my old 3.5 floppy disks and see what I have on those for hobby info. I swore I had one that had a bunch of emails from the start fo NAMHSA somewhere. Humm.... it's supposed to snow on Saturday, maybe I'll do that? To bad the work computer is so new and doens't have the 3.5 drive on it, it's been quite at work and I could look at that stuff here. Sigh. (bad Jill bad).

[AMG]

Had some other business to take care of - sorry about the absence!

Added a link to the Facebook page to my blog; I get some non-Blab, nonhobbyist traffic, so I thought it might be a help. I am myself a bit Facebook-averse, though. (Too many ID theft issues in the past has left me leery.)

A couple of years ago I completely digitized the album I have of Marney's and made a Word file of all the related captions and other data. Over 200 pictures! They're numbered in the sequence I found them in the album. I have both the raw scans and the sweetened/cleaned up JPEGs in a folder that I could burn to a CD if necessary.

(Note to scanners of albums: try to keep photos in the order you found them in, make notes on omissions, format of the album itself, captions, notations - that context can be very important too.)

Second, a few notes on the newsletter scans. I think the best option to just start with cover scans; there's going to be copyright issues with some of the articles contained within if we start scanning the interiors whole hog. (For the record, I'm unilaterally okay with anything of mine that turns up being reprinted, for historical and educational purposes.)

What's important with the newsletters is documenting what newsletters existed, when and how long it was published, how many issues, the editors or mailers, what audience it served (i.e. was it an outgrowth of a club newsletter, something regional, etc.), rough estimates on circulation (if possible,) how it was published (mimeo, hecto, offset), the format (letter, folded letter, legal), how it was bound (stapled in the corner, stapled down the side, blanket-stitched.)

Individual issues should be heavily indexed: how many pages, a list of articles or columns contained within, with authors noted, any news or information we feel might be noteworthy (an artist's first sales ad, announcements or coverage of certain events, an early usage of a now common term), special issues for events or topics.

I've done a rough index of what I have in my archives - title, publisher, issue numbers. Once I get a couple more situations resolved on my end, I can go about properly indexing everything I have; the earliest newsletters I have in my archive are from 1973, so it could take a while.

Also, we may have an issue with what to do with physical donations, once we get further along (what to do with the duplicates, and who gets to be the repository?)

[Keren]

I'm also granting copyright release on all my articles in mags and newsletters for the purposes of this project :)

Keren

[Keren]

Also, we may have an issue with what to do with physical donations, once we get further along (what to do with the duplicates, and who gets to be the repository?)

I don't *think* Caroline Jones reads Blab, but she is a qualified archivist, and should have some good ideas on storage conditions/materials.

I recently found a whole book on the hobby in amongst my stuff - it was published by a US hobbyist in the 1970s/early 1980s and *I think* was created using a duplicator - it seems to have faded quite a bit. I also have somewhere the rule/reference book for Carol William's western performance club, as well as some club newsletters (and of course, tons of British stuff).

I also have the original copier-ready artwork for many back issues of The International Arabist, which I have been asked about reprinting - when I hve the house straight it might be possible to see about that. One of the regular features was interviews with hobbyists :)

Keren

[Godolphin]

Absolutely no problem! I'll take to Jane and Caroline (our real 'foundation mares') and get more info from them too!

Keren

Hello from one of the old 'foundation mares' (just love it Keren!:laff)

Unfortunately I haven't read through all the posts concerning hobby history yet but intend to over the Christmas holidays and will help all I can with my memories of the hobby in the UK.

However, the matter of storage has come up and for paper items such as newspapers, magazines etc storing flat in archive standard acid-free boxes will be the answer. Very fragile items can be kept in 'Melinex' pockets or layered in acid-free tissue paper inside acid-free boxes and this is what we use in the museum I work in, my library collection is slowly but surely being taken over by the 'grey brigade'!
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4208866812_7a08b6ea0e_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2623/4208100397_20953cd9cc_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2572/4208867692_c86e94bf26_m.jpg

[bassgirl1970]

What a fantastic idea!!!! :woohoo:woohoo:woohoo

[mumtaz]

A couple of years ago I completely digitized the album I have of Marney's and made a Word file of all the related captions and other data. Over 200 pictures! They're numbered in the sequence I found them in the album. I have both the raw scans and the sweetened/cleaned up JPEGs in a folder that I could burn to a CD if necessary.

I would happily pay for a copy of that DVD. :)

[Robin]

I would happily pay for a copy of that DVD. :)

Me too!

[tannutuva]

Hey Kate/Roseridge! I'll see what I've got in the couple of little file boxes of old model stuff I held onto to bring to the show... I've clipped and tossed the mags.

I used to be in a smaller Arabian club called ARaBS (1980s), which fizzled under the weight of various officers' school wrap-ups, moves, etc. We were trying to figure out how (and where) to do a club live show, among other things. I did some bloodline articles for the newsletter, and compiled a sire/dam list that I brought to ERC (NJ), which got me chatting with someone who did Arabian bloodline research and magazine writing professionally. I did some clerical work and events coverage with her part-time, and saw some amazing horses.

[sharonl]

Me too!


Me three! :D

[Roseridge]

I have Laura Rock-Smith's albums from ACMHA, the Event, Model Horse Congress, Model Horse Expo, ERC, NAN '95 etc here now! (I am still looking for Marney's albums).

Anyway, those of you who are coming to my house this Saturday wil get a chance to see them in person!:woohoo

[jjbreyer]

Ugh, I would LOVE to look through those, but can not make it down (to iffy to plan winter travel from VT to MA and mom's sick so off to take care of her this coming weekend). Can't wait to hear about them and eventually see them!

I will say that while I was home this past weekend I did find and old 3.5" disk w/ some model horse emails on them. One of them was talking about where to hold NAN - from June 1994!!! I've been laughing at them because we are STILL arguing the same things we were 15+ years ago (what's AO, where's NAN going to be, etc).