The Peregrine Fund Heritage Summer 2002

Heritage Archives of American Falconry

Summer 2002

Duplicate Book Auction Expanded for 2002 Volunteer Staff CURATORS S. Kent Carnie Archivist John R. Swift Books and Manuscripts RESEARCH ASSOCIATES Peter Barry Devers Eastern Region Natalie Nicholson Western Region GRAPHICS ASSOCIATES Donald Garlock, Jr. James B. Stabler PUBLICATIONS ASSOCIATE William G. Mattox

he Archives of American Falconry is dedicated to collecting and maintaining a record of the history of falconry both in the Americas and, now, worldwide. Often, donated collections of books and equipment contain duplicates. A silent auction for those duplicates is conducted by mail annually to raise funds for the Archives. This year our auction has been expanded to include other items specifically donated to help raise funds for our facilities expansion.

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The centerpiece of this sale will be an original folio copy of the Traite de Fauconnerie by Schlegel & Wulverhorst published 1844-53 and considered the finest work ever produced on falconry. Its plates include 12 life-sized depictions of the birds of European falconry by Joseph Wolf, each individually hand colored, unique works of art. Other items received so far

include copies of the 1873 edition of Falconry in the British Isles, a copy of Mavrogordato’s A Falcon in

the Field, a rare, first (suppressed) edition of Desert Hawking by Harry McElroy as well as a hood made by Karl Mollen of Valkenswaard, Holland. Also included are numerous works of art, both originals and prints, by noted falconry artists. This auction promises to be the most extensive ever conducted by the Archives. AND

AUCTION SCHEDULE MAILING

The auction catalogue will be mailed in October with the deadline for bids November 15th. To be fair, the catalogue will be mailed only to current and former contributors to the Archives of American Falconry. Ensure you are on this list by contributing to this year’s facility expansion in the enclosed envelope. All items will be mailed in time for Christmas.

Archives of American Falconry

Preserv Our Heri T

he Archives of American Falconry was founded by The Peregrine Fund in 1986 and is located at the The Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise, Idaho. From its inception the Archives has been operated by volunteer falconers, supported by the falconry community which has helped by raising funds to build the current facility and in establishing a permanent endowment fund (currently almost $400,000). Initial donations of several collections of falconry materials comprise the foundation for a now vastly expanded, unique worldrenowned archive. Materials received at the Archives are attributed to the donor so that all may be aware of their provenance. Donations of materials to the Archives have credited the falconry community with nearly $1,000,000 in tax deductible charitable contributions. The Archives staff is actively involved in protecting the collections under the guidance of a professional conservator to ensure the

long-term care of all materials received. Current collections include: • The world’s largest and smallest falconry books Traité de Fauconnerie (28" x 21") and The Young Sportsman’s Instructor (4.25" x 2.25"). • Original editions of the classics on falconry: Turbervile, Latham and Bert. • Major C.H. Fisher’s personal copy of Falconry in the British Isles, crammed with marginal comments in Fisher’s own hand. • Photographs of the historic tree-nesting peregrines at Tennessee’s Reelfoot Lake, of the peregrines nesting on Montreal’s Sun Life Building, and the nest-life of the now extinct eastern U.S. “Rock” Peregrine. • Photographs depicting the discovery and early trapping of migrant peregrine falcons on Assateague Island. • Photo albums of Minard Stevens, Robert Stabler, Pete Asborno, Eric Hall and others.

If we falconers do not preserve our own histor

heritage • summer 2002

ving itage • Innumerable individual photographs of pioneer American falconers and their birds. • Hand written letters to and from most of the pioneers of early American falconry as well as many famed European falconers. • Hawking journals of such famed falconry figures as Alva Nye and Dan Cover. • Examples of historic and modern falconers’ furniture: bells, bags, perches, gloves etc., exemplifying the variety of forms and patterns of such, worldwide; plus a large collection of hoods documenting the evolution of hood-making in the U.S.

The Archives of American Falconry currently is housed in an 800 sq. ft. room attached to the Administration Building of the World Center for Birds of Prey. Constructed in 1991 with funds raised by falconers, this James N. Rice Memorial Wing has housed the continually growing Archives’ collections until it is now completely full. Construction has begun on a new 4,000 sq. ft. facility that will serve for years to come; see our web-site http://www.peregrinefund. org/whats_herrick.html) for additional photos and details. Falconers already have donated toward the $430,000 needed for building and equipping the new facility but $65,000 remains to be raised. A campaign to secure these remaining funds by 2002 year-end is currently underway. Here are two ways you can help.

1.MAKE

A FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTION

The enclosed envelope describes recognition levels for the new building. Donors’ names will be

• Historical personal films in various formats depicting the practice of falconry.

Curator Office

Archives Display

Reading Alcove Rare Book Room

Gallery Cold Storage

Gallery

Art Storage

Archives Storage

Storage

engraved on a permanent plaque placed at the entrance to The Archives. Select the most appropriate giving level; you may contribute with check or charge card.

2.GIVE

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THIS YEAR’S AUCTION

If you prefer, donate auction items in lieu of—or in addition to—cash. These items will be auctioned in our forthcoming silent auction scheduled for November 15th. Donors of auction items will be appropriately recognized on the plaque just as are other donors.

Archives Heritage Publications Series

• A growing collection of recorded oral-history interviews with prominent falconers. • A variety of artwork, to include original oil paintings and watercolors, prints, carvings and sculpture depicting falconry around the world.

Patio

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olume II in this series, Life with an Indian Prince contains the daily diaries of John and Frank Craighead from their memorable royal Indian falconry experience in 1940. This work consists of 273 pages with over 350 photos—

two-thirds of them in color and most never before published— printed by Stinehour Press, one of America’s most renowned private presses. Volume I—R. L. Meredith’s American Falconry in the Twentieth Century—was limited to 500 copies and sold out within 18 months. Remaining copies of the Craighead work are available, firstcome, first-served at $135. A Patron’s version is also available, half-leather bound, with British hand-made marbled end papers, in a custom slipcase, available for $320—both prices postpaid for pre-Christmas delivery.

ry,who can we expect to preserve it for us?

The existing Archives (above), and a floor plan of the new space (left).

The Peregrine Fund World Center for Birds of Prey 5668 West Flying Hawk Lane Boise, Idaho 83709 United States of America

ARCHIVES

OF

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID BOISE, ID 83709 PERMIT NO. 606

AMERICAN FALCONRY COLLECTIONS

Founded and operated by falconers for falconers 16 Years of Continuous Service

INCLUDE


Books
Periodicals
Photographs and Slides

Tax-deductible Charitable Organization Located at The Peregrine Fund’s World Center for Birds of Prey Official repository for NAFA and several state clubs’ records


Correspondence
Journals and Diaries
Films and Videos
Oral-history Tapes
Equipment
Art and Prints
Memorabilia

See your history–visit your Archives! Please call (208) 362-3716 to arrange a tour.