15 loose black leaves with b/w photographs (mostly 8” x 10”) and ephemera (letters, small advertising posters, telegrams, ticket stubs) adhered to rectos and versos; 20 photographs in all. Leaves quite brittle and chipped at the edges; some photographs a little wavy (from the adhesive) or creased, but for the most part clean, and always intelligible; large tear across one of the posters, fragile, but with no loss. Centered around a Carnival and Field Day, this collection features photographs of, or correspondence from, some famous characters: Tom Mix (an actor in early Western movies, who performed at the event), F. W. Blanchard (an early Los Angeles developer, first president of the Hollywood Bowl, and director of the event), Miss Hessie Hallett and her horse Arabjay (performers), James D. Phelan (politician, civic leader, and banker, who contributed personnel to the event), Kaiser Wilhelm II (photographed in the form of an effigy hung at the event), and William Taft (who, via telegram, regrets that he cannot attend). Offers a cursory glance at the event’s inner workings, with telegrams, special ticket stubs and lunch coupons for participants (offered by The Patriotic Mothers of Sons in Service), a copy of the program and list of organizers, and a typed financial statement. But the highlight - and focus - of the collection are the photographs of the beautiful horses that were featured in the rodeo events, races, and fancy mounts. A day-long extravaganza that included marching bands, military maneuvers, wrestling, boxing, tug-of-war, and more, this glimpse at a moment of grandstanding captures more than a singular event in California’s (and America’s) history, as whispers of the tumultuous time are discernable throughout.
