Maurice Thompson collectors

[Liquid Amber]

I was wondering how many have one of the 50 edition of "Lincoln's Grave?"  How many have one of the 450 edition?

I've only seen one of the large format 50 edition issue in all the years I've been collecting his stuff.  I have both editions and consider them most difficult items to acquire.  First editions of "The Witchery of Archery" and "How to Train in Archery" are much easier to find.

[Yule08]

I have a pretty good (J)MT collection, but have never even had an opportunity for either edition........ I would agree w/ your assessment of "most difficult to acquire."

[Wade Phillips]

Cliff, I have 1 of 450, owned by Prof. J. Russell Taylor, dated January 12, 1895. My receipt is still in the book, June 24, 2000, exactly 9 years ago today...

For difficulty to acquire, how do you rank these two?...

1905 "How to train in Archery"

1928 Red Bible Cover Leather edition of "The Witchery of Archery"

[Liquid Amber]

The only way I can hazard a guess would be based upon the number I've encountered over the years.  Since I've yet to find a 1905 but have located two of the 1928 Red Leather Elmer editions, I'd say the 1905 "How to train in Archery" might be the more difficult.

I am familiar with a collector who has picked up two binding variants of the 450 edition of "Lincoln's Grave" this year.  He should have bought lottery tickets while he was at it.  

[Tox Collector]

I have only one copy of the red leather 1928 edition of the Witchery of Archery -- it is in pristine condition.  I have never seen another copy, and when Fred Lake included it in his "A Bibliography of Archery -- he had not come across any copies.  I speculate that the red leather version was specially bound in a small number to be used as a presentation copy.  I secured my copy from a book dealer in West Hartford.  Keep in mind that The Archers Company was located in Bristol, CT at the end of its existence.  

As for the 1905, "How to Train", it has paper covers and that may account for the fact fewer copies have survived than the 1879 and 1880 editions.  Again, I only have one copy in my collection and have not seen any others.  Fred Lake only noted two copies - one in North America [the copy that I have] and one in the UK.

Both books are extremely scarce.  I have a feeling that if I am correct that the red leather version of the "Witchery of Archery" was prepared in a limited number for presentation purposes then there were probably fewer of these made up originally.  However, the leather cover is more substantial than that of the paper covers on "How to Train", 1905.  By the way, there are some excellent photos in this third edition that, of course, are not in the first two editions.    

[Tox Collector]

The Archers Company also published "Archery Aims" by Hoogerhyde and Thompson, 1933 -- how often do you find this title.  I understand that a fire destroyed quite a number of copies so it is one of the more scarce pamphlets on archery.

[Wade Phillips]

I agree that the paper covers of the 1905  "How to Train", have accounted for many copies not surviving. I have two copies, one is intact with paper covers, the other I acquired with a rebound hard cover. A scarce item in any condition. The greatly expanded 1905 edition with its additional photographs is my favorite.

Interesting that you mention "Archery Aims" by Hoogerhyde and Thompson, 1933 - My red leather 1928 edition of "The Witchery of Archery" is signed by Hoogerhyde. I never made that connection before. I would agree with your speculation about red leather edition being a presentation copy.

While The Archers Company ended its existence in Bristol, CT, it is probably best known for its location in Pinehurst, NC while still owned by its founder, Philip Rounsevelle. Before NC, the company was located in New Orleans, LA. It's least known location was undoubtedly Indian Hills, IL.

Has anyone else found a copy of Philip Rounsevelle's "The Bow Book" - 1924? It was published by The Archers Company, but is not listed in "The Bibliography of Archery".

I found my copy of "The Bow Book" in Philip Rounsevelle's personal archery scrapbook along with many other 1920s archery treasures.

[Tox Collector]

I share your view in terms of the 1905 "How to Train" edition being my favorite as well due to the photographs included.

My copy of "Archery Aims" is signed by Carl G. Thompson as well as Russ Hoogerhyde.  I purchased this copy from Thompson's family along with several other items including the third volume [1881 year] of the "Archery Field".  

Fortunately, Myrtle Miller [founder of TWAC - The World Archery Center] invited Russ Hoogerhyde to the Center, and I was able to obtain his signature as well.  My recollection is that Russ's wife was [I believe] Myrtle Miller's sister.  My recollection is that Russ Hoogerhyde had an involvement [perhaps financial as well as providing his name] with the Archers Company when it was located in Bristol, CT [it was owned then by the Horton Mfg. Co.].

You are right -- The Archers Company was certainly best known when it was located in Pinehurst, NC.  I have never heard of Rounsevelle's "The Bow Book".  It sounds fascinating.  Can you provide us with some details, like number of pages, size, year, no. of illustrations.  This has to be a "one of a kind" item.

Was the scrapbook you purchased obtained from a New York dealer -- as I recall, it might have been.  I called on it, but you had already acquired it.  It certainly is a treasure.  I wonder how many of today's archers have even heard of the Archers Company.  

My recollection is that Philip Rousesvelle died in an auto accident.  At the time, his wife was also well known, and, I believe, she was one of the first women to kill a deer while hunting.

The Archers Company "handbooks" are still very collectible items and, of course, have become quite scarce for the most part.

One of the items they published was "Ye Archers of Sport of Chevy Chase", 1927".  While I have most of the handbooks and catalogs -- I find this item very interesting.

[Liquid Amber]

Some of you guys have some cool stuff.

I don't consider the 1928 edition a Thompson collectible but an Elmer collectible.  Too much deletion, editing and additions from Thompson's 1878/79 editions.

This might be of interest to some collectors.  I'm not sure how this will come out as I cut and pasted it from a word file.  

Bibliography

Seven Authors of Crawfordsville Indiana – Russo and Sullivan 1952
Bibliography Corrections; Deletions; and Additions for Maurice Thompson.

Periodicals – Corrections

The Cosmopolitan
1895:   January      A Jocund Feud   [Listed as 1896]

The Independent
1887:   December  8   The Literary Lesson of Anarchy [Anarchy replaces Archery]

Periodicals – Deletions

Scribner’s Monthly
1874:   November   The Great South [Not Thompson’s]

First Editions—Ephemera - Additions

In The Haunts of the Mocking-Bird – The Elzevir Library – Setember 24, 1887 verified by Tom Czarnopys
The Threshold of the Gods – The Elzevir Library –  [June 2, 1888 Literature advertisement]
Browsing and Nibbling – The Elzevir Library – October 1, 1887 verified by Tom Czarnopys
A Palace of Reeds – The Elzevir Library – October 8, 1887 verified by Tom Czarnopys
Out-Door Influences in Literature – The Elzevir Library – 1885? [June 2, 1888 Literature advertisement]
Cuckoo Notes and some Minor Song Birds – The Elzevir Library – October 8, 1887 verified by Tom Czarnopys
The Anatomy of Bird-Song – The Elzevir Library – 1885? [June 2, 1888 Literature advertisement]
Some Hyoid Hints – The Elzevir Library – October 1887 [June 2, 1888 Literature advertisement]

Periodicals – Additions

The Atlantic Monthly
1899:   Feburary   Stories Of The Cherokee Hills

The Century Magazine
1886;   February   “Open Letter” [pg 633] [on international copyright]

The (Chicago) Times
1887:   November 27   Notes Of An Archer

The Clack Book
1896:   September     The Literary Buzz-Saw [Article, Maurice Thompson]

Forest and Stream
1879:   January      9   A Memory of Indian River [Poem, Bowman, pseudonym]
   January     23   A Memory of Tallulah [Poem, Bowman, pseudonym]
   February   27   A Memory of Tocoa [Poem, Bowman, pseudonym]
   June            5   Shooting and Fishing North Georgia [Letter to Editor, Maurice Thompson]
   July           17   American Bows Vs English bows [Letter to Editor, Maurice Thompson]
         How to Aim [Article, Maurice Thompson]
   January      15   National Archery Association [Announcement, Maurice Thompson]
   February    19   Letter [To the Officers and Members of the NAA, Maurice Thompson]

The Independent
1896:   February   13   A New Edition of Poe’s Work [Article] [Maurice Thompson]


The Southern Methodist Review
?         An Outing in the Terre Aux Boeufs
?         A Literary Knapsack
?         A King of the Brambles
?         Some Shrike-Notes

The New York Ledger
1891:   January 31   Andre The Ministrel
   February 14   Mademoiselle Faurie’s Choice
   March 7      The Hudson Place Mystery
December 5   The Seal Of A Louisiana Feud; or Sequard’s Bullet-Mark.

New-York Weekly Tribune
1871:   September   6   The Legend of Potato Creek [Article] [James Maurice Thompson]

Outing
1883:   November   Songs of Fair Weather; Outdoor Influences in Literature

Scribner’s Monthly
1877:   September    More About Bow-Shooting [Article] [Maurice Thompson]

Youth’s Companion
1893   September 28   Beside The Salliquoy
1894   April 26      The Plow-Boy’s Song [poem] [Maurice Thompson
1894   June 7      Between the Sun and the Moon [poem] [Maurice Thompson]
1898   September 22   A Sparrow-Hawk’s Strategy

[Tox Collector]

Or, perhaps, you could call it an "Archers Company" collectible.

Great bibliography -- thanks for sharing it.  I have already made a copy.  You have done some great research.

"An Archer in the Cherokee Hills" [Maurice Thompson] was reprinted by Walter Buchen of Chicago in 1935 and limited to 25 copies.  I have copy number 25 and have only heard of one other copy for sale during the time I have been collecting.  Any other copies around?  Also, Cliff, do you know if it tracks the article 100%?

[Liquid Amber]

I've acquired about a third [copy or original] or so of his approximately 900 article/poems and other stuff.  In running them down I've keep track of the irregularities from Russo and Sullivan.  Still a number of archery articles out there for the diligent and tireless.  It's about time to make another push for the rest; will need to bring my assistant out of retirement though...not sure he's willing to get back into the game.  Dang, that boy can find stuff in Libraries.  

I had a copy of Buchen's piece bought once, but the seller [third party] had to withdraw the book when the owner [daughter of one of the recipients] changed her mind.  

I think Wade has a copy and might can answer your question; I haven't look at one.

[Tox Collector]

I can't imagine that anyone else even comes close to what you have identified and obtained in terms of works published by Thompson.  It's a tremendous accomplishment.

I would have thought that a few copies of Buchen's book would have surfaced.  Of course, Paul Klopsteg was a good friend and had one, which is now in the University of Oklahoma Library.

I wouldn't be surprised if Wade has a copy.  It is a nice item.

[Yule08]

I have a very nice copy of Hoogerhyde and Thompson's "Archery Aims."  Only downside is some slight fading along the sides of the cover, almost as if part was exposed to sunlight for years and part not.

I have copy No. 14 of Buchen's 1935 "Archer in the Cherokee Hills."  It is inscribed "To Erle from Buchen(?) xxxxxxxx, 1939."  I assume this was for Erle Stanley Gardner.  The writing style is difficult for me to read so I am assuming "Buchen" and the word above 1939 I have no clue too.

Thanks Cliff for the additional M. Thompson references.  Now we'll all be on equal footing on "that site's" bidding battles   :D  

Yule

[Tox Collector]

Yule,  Nice - Erle Stanley Gardner was part of that group.  You are the first collector I have heard of that has a copy that isn't already in a library.  With respect to slight fading in connection with "Archery Aims', this is common.  It is one of my favorite items.

[mullet]

This is interesting and very informative, Thanks guy's. Listening to you guy's with all this different info falling into place is answering a lot of questions for me. I just recently picked up a bow made by Archers Company in Pinehurst, N.C. and I knew nothing about it.

[Yule08]

A couple pieces of Maurice Thompson ephemera (well depending on your definition anyway) I don't see too often, that should be available out there are:

1) "Native Folk Spirit in Literature"  Three essays reprinted, one each from Merideth Nicholson, Maurice Thompson, and Hamlin Garland.  350 copies printed by The Torch Press, Cedar Rapids Iowa, 1957.  Regarding the Thompson essay, a quote from the introduction: "The essay...written with the enthusiasm of ardent youth, is reproduced from his undated autograph manuscript. In printed form it may or may not have been buried in the pages of the staunch old 'Independent,' to which the beloved Hoosier in his youth contributed many bright essays and notes, signed or not."

(and this one I'm not so sure of, perhaps someone can shed some light on it),

2) "Alice of Old Vincennes (I Love You)."  Sheet music w/ lyrics attibuted to Keithley and Thompson.  Published by Frank Root and Co.,  1914.  

Not much to either one, just something fun to track down for those interested.

Yule

[Wade Phillips]

The most revered item in my very modest Maurice Thompson Collection is a...

"J. Maurice Thompson Medal of Honor". awarded by the National Archery Association (NAA).

The Thompson Medal of Honor was established in 1939 to honor the NAA's first President, J. Maurice Thompson. This is the first award established by the NAA and is given to those who have rendered outstanding and meritorious service to archery without expectation of award. The first 11 recipients of this prestigious award read like a “whose who” list of pioneer bowmen.

1939 - Paul Klopsteg
1940 - Louis Smith
1941 - Kore Duryee
1942 - Henry Cummings
1943 - Karl Palmatier
1944 - John Yount
1945 - Harold Titcomb
1947 - W. B. Westcott
1948 - Robert Elmer
1949 - Roy Case
1950 - Clarence Hickman

This is the fifth "J. Maurice Thompson Medal of Honor", awarded in 1943 to Karl Palmatier...

 

[Liquid Amber]

That is quite a catch.

Horsman promoted their archery with CDV cards.  I have one of the original cards and know of another that a copy was provided me.  Does anyone know how many different cards there were with a Thompson showcased?

This a common photo of Maurice and the only CDV I've acquired.  

 

[Wade Phillips]

Cliff -

Great item to have. I remember when you got it. Thanks again for sending me a copy shortly after you got the original. It is treasured.

I have long thought that this photograph was used to create the image that appears on the 1939 NAA Thompson Medal of Honor. Although a few minor details are slightly different, some details are remarkably similar. It is doubtful that many other similar images existed in 1939 for the NAA to use as a model for the Medal.