1911-1915 Simple Journals of an Avid Horseman and Hunter from Baltimore, Listing His Horses and Hunting Seasons

On offer are five diaries dating to the early years of the 20th century written by an avid horseman and hunter.

On April 18, 1911 our author gives a brief outline of his personal history, however he does not state his name. We know he was born in 1878 in Baltimore. He attended college and was married in 1902. He traveled ‘abroad’.on at least two occasions. He was very involved in the horse racing industry.

His 1911 diary lists 30 pages of horses that he has owned. This diary also details his hunting seasons including the horses he rode and the results achieved. He travels extensively in the United States. as noted in various entries over the 5 years.

Each diary only contains about a dozen entries. These refer to his horse interests and to hunting. Many other entries are simply notations about being ‘absent” or “arrived office”. 

Some excerpts of the diaries follow:

“Absent. Hunting. Brandywine 8 AM. Ride Sherry. Also [] Skylark. Beautiful day. Have good run over fine country and the pack is certainly wonderful”  [Mar 3, 1912].

“... Stopped in Atlanta. Met the Hawkins of 3rd Nat’l Bank and the Woods White of Atlanta Savings Co. Missed Col Laury. Very progressive place…” [Feb 3, 1913].

“…Oak Hill buying hounds”  [May 7, 1914].

For an enthusiast of American horse racing and breeding, these small diaries offer a fascinating glimpse into this world as it was in the early 1900’s.

Our avid horseman diarist wrote in 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914 and 1915. All five diaries measure 6.75” x 4.25”. All of the diaries contain 365 pages and all are approximately 10% complete. All five diaries’ covers are in good condition. The bindings of three of the diaries are in good condition and the binding is broken on the 1911 and 1913 diaries. The pages in all five diaries are in good condition. Overall G-.