1931 Archery Review

[Liquid Amber]

I'm looking for an article by E.B. Powell or Earl B. Powell on snakewood.  The closest I can get is that it may be in a 1931 issue of "Archery Review."  Any assistance will be much appreciated.  


Cliff

[Tox Collector]

Cliff, The two page article is on pps. 15 and 16 of the December, 1931 issue of "Archery Review" and is entitled "Woods Suitable for Bow Making" by Earl B. Powell.  He covers most bow woods appropriate for bow making.  The section on snakewood is only a few sentences.  I'll be glad to copy the article and send it to you.  I believe that your address is on the inside page of "Toxophilus in Arcadia".  Just confirm that you want a copy.

What he says is as follows:  "SNAKEWOOD [Piratinea Guianansis] comes from the Guianas and has a very thick sapwood.  This sapwood is removed and the heart [which has snakelike markings] is exposed [he used the word "exported" but I am sure that he meant "exposed"].  A two foot tree may not have over a four inch heart.  It is the most beautiful of all bow woods, being mottled pink in a pattern which resembles the skin of a snake.  It is very hard and elastic.  A bow from this wood, no larger than a little finger, at mid-limb, will sometimes weigh as much as sixty pounds.  Snakewood takes a beautiful finish, shoots very fast but jars in the hand.  It breaks readily and does not take glue very well, although it is necessary that it be backed."

[Liquid Amber]

Yes, I would like a copy of the article, even though Elmer may have included much of it in "Target ARchery."  The address is correct.  As usual, I'm always available to provide [unless the information was given me under some "for my eyes only deal" anything you might have need of.

I do have considerable stuff on Powell, who grew up about 40 miles from me in Marion, LA, but am always looking for "one more" piece.  

Thanks again David, as this is not the first time you've been generous providing me a copy of some stuff.

Cliff

[Tox Collector]

Cliff,  I mailed two copies of the article to you before noon today.  You should have them by the weekend.

I am always amazed by the material you have developed and reseached, e.g., on Powell.  I had no idea that he grew up some 40 miles from you.

I still think that "Target Archery" is one of the best archery references around.

Currently I am working with Hugh Soar of the UK to develop an exhaustive list of UK archery societies.  This is an "Outreach Project" that we hope to take to other countries as well under the auspices of the Society of Archer-Antiquaries.  

The objecttive is to identify archery clubs/societies before the information is lost forever and have it available in a centralized format perhaps on a disc which could then be sold to cover costs and make a little profit for the Society.  

When we develop the UK piece, we will have a template that can be used by others.  We also hope to do this same research/project with bowyers and archery art for the same reason.  The point of this is that I will probably be calling on you for input along the way when we get to U.S. archery clubs & societies, bowyers and archery art.

By the way, if you know of anyone who might like to join the Society of Archer-Antiquaries, let me know, and I will be glad to send them membership information.  We are always looking for additional members.

Also, have you heard of the Archery Collectors Guild based out of England?  They put out a newsletter three times a year on archery historical subjects -- someone like yourself could provide historical articles on American archers and topics.  Again, I have membership information for anyone interested in joining.

Dave

[Liquid Amber]

Received the article.  Thanks.  I'll be emailing you about some stuff later.  It put the icing on the cake and closed my file on the subject.  

[Tox Collector]

Glad the article arrived.  I looked at "A Bibliography of Archery" and saw a number of articles cited that had been written by Earl B. Powell.  In tracking down the article you requested, I noted one article written by Powell that wasn't listed that appeared in the October, 1931 issue of the "Archery Review" entitled "How to Shoot with the Longbow".  You may have this article already as part of your Powell research/data.  If not, let me know.

I also saw an advertisement in the November, 1931 issue where he was soliciting financial backing for "A Bow and Arrow Hunting Picture".

The picture/film was to feature hunting Jaguars, Ocelots, Tapirs, Deer, Turkeys, Alligators, etc. in Mexico and Central America.  Apparently, he thought that it would only cost between $2,500 and $3,000 to produce the picture.  He had previously produced a picture showing the hunting of alligators.

[Liquid Amber]

I don't have any of his stiff from Archery Review and if you can provide a copy, I'll provide you something in return.  

Powell wrote much more than what the Biblio. notes.  Two in Outoor life, 3 in Hunter-Trapper-Trader and one on him in H-T-T 1928 and earlier.  He did two fiction works, chapters monthly in The Feathered Shaft, "Song of the Bow" and "The Road to Mayapan."

Have I sent you one of my Article Bibliogrpahies on archery, or related subjects published in periodicals other than archery magazines?  I've begun to add Newspaper articles to it.  Currently at 34 pages.  If not, I'll print one, bind and send your way.  My bible chasing these old articles.

[Liquid Amber]

Old Earl don't get much respect.  He knew and hung out with Pope and Young in California and was a "noted" bowyer well before Howard Hill.  Powell was the archery pro at Hialeah for Curtiss in the early 1920s and was announced [Jan 1926} to be the pro at the new archery golf course being built at Opa-Locka.  In an ad for the course in Feb. 1927, Howard Hill is noted as the archery pro.  I've yet to find what prompted Curtiss to make a change or why Powell changed his mind.  So much to learn, so little time to do it.  

[Tox Collector]

I'll put a copy of the article in the mail to you within the next several days.  I'm not surprised that you have found other material written by Powell.  Quite frankly, I was not aware of the H-T-T magazine.

If you could send me a copy of your archery bibliography [34 pps.], I will owe you!  I am always interested in learning about the archery sources that you have uncovered.

That was really interesting that Powell was originally slated to be the golf pro at Opa-Locka -- I had never heard about that one.  If you learn what happened, I sure would be interested in hearing about it.

You continue to amaze me with the archery history/information that you uncover!  The search for archery history continues unabated!

[Liquid Amber]

I'm updating the Bibliography before printing off your copy, but will have the new model posted to you by Wednesday, maybe Tuesday.  If you are searching for old archery articles "not found" in archery magazines, this will become your bible.  

[Tox Collector]

Just mailed your article this evening.  You should have it by the end of the week.  I meant to get it in the mail to you last week but with the end of turkey season in CT -- didn't quite make it.

However, you mentioned above that you didn't have any of his stuff from "Archery Review" so I included his article "Range and Ballistics of Arrows" [November, 1931] as well as his request for funding an archery hunting motion picture that was contained in the November, 1931 issue of "Archery Review".

I look forward to receiving a copy of your Bibliography -- it will be a treat to have it.  I am sure that it will become a bible for me.  You had mentioned earlier about newspaper articles -- are those included as well?  Keep up your valuable research.  I am always intrigued with your research and the information that you come up with on archery history.    

[Tox Collector]

Just mailed your article this evening.  You should have it by the end of the week.  I meant to get it in the mail to you last week but with the end of turkey season in CT -- didn't quite make it.

However, you mentioned above that you didn't have any of his stuff from "Archery Review" so I included his article "Range and Ballistics of Arrows" [November, 1931] as well as his request for funding an archery hunting motion picture that was contained in the November, 1931 issue of "Archery Review".

I look forward to receiving a copy of your Bibliography -- it will be a treat to have it.  I am sure that it will become a bible for me.  You had mentioned earlier about newspaper articles -- are those included as well?  Keep up your valuable research.  I am always intrigued with your research and the information that you come up with on archery history.    

[Liquid Amber]

Thanks David.  Your package went out today and should be in your hands by Friday for sure.  I've been working newspaper articles heavy on Maurice/Will Thompson, Howard Hill, E. BPowell and Young/Pope.  There are some newspaper articles in the edition I sent you, but I've a stack of material to yet enter.  It's a continual process of updating and sometimes correcting and adding notes.  

I keep a printed copy such as you will receive and use it searching **** and other sites for magazines containing material I need.  Don't put up your copy, but use it to make notes on new entries and such.  It is noted in the very left column if I have a copy of the original of the article.  

Periodically I'll add or update all the new information and addition of acquired articles and just print a new version, re-bind and begin using the new version as a work copy.

Once I get this new batch of newspaper articles logged and such, and if you have any articles not listed you could provide the informatio that I include....I can add it all in and email you an up to date word file you can build from.  

Obviously, I cannot provide copies of all the stuff you may not have, but will be happy to provide copies of stuff that is important to your speical interests if you desire.  

I also have a large file on corrections, additions and revisions to Russo and Sullivan's bibliography on the Thompsons if you might be interested.  Easy to email the word file.  Still lots of material out there they didn't collect.  I added two articles I finally located published in newspapers this week.

Anyway, lots of time and snoping about here and yonder to compile this list.  I hope it aids in your research.

Cliff

[Tox Collector]

Thanks Cliff -- very much appreciated.  I look forward to perusing your Bibliography.  You have certainly put a lot of time and effort into developing it.  I know that I am going to enjoy going through it.  I have a feeling that with all that you have included there will be a lot of archery articles and information that I am not remotely aware of.

Thanks for your offer to share information I may need in the future -- I appreciate your offer.

Newspaper research is difficult because locating libraries with significant runs of historical newspapers can be difficult.  I have used the American Antiquarian Society's [Worcester, MA] collection of newspapers in the past to identify old archery clubs in the U.S.  They have the largest collection in the U.S. of American newspapers.  It sounds like you have been having much success in obtaining information from newspapers.

I would certainly be interested in learning about "corrections, additions and revisions" to Russo and Sullivan's bibliography on the Thompson brothers.

It is always interesting to hear about what you are up to and what you have uncovered.  

I trust that you have found some time for fly fishing.  I am still trying to make to the Farmington River this year to do some fly fishing myself.

Thanks again!

Dave

[Tox Collector]

Hi Cliff,  I was in NYC for two days and arrived home to find that your "American Archery Bibliography" had arrived.  

You have done a great job with it -- only you could have researched, developed and come up with such a comprehensive listing.  Obviously, a tremendous amount of work has gone into it.  I am having a lot of fun going through it and learning much that I didn't know.  

Your bibliography provides a great tool for research. The archery literature that you have identified also supplements and fills in many of the important gaps in early archery history in America.

Bibliographies are one of the most important tools that we collectors use in our collecting efforts.

Nice work and thanks again!

[Tox Collector]

Cliff,  I talked at length to John D. Lee last night about many things and asked him about Howard Hill as the Pro at Opa Locka Golf Course.  I said that apparently someone else had been in contention for the position but Hill ended up getting the job.  

I didn't mention Powell specifically because I momentarily forgot his name [old age].  

John didn't know what happened, but he did say that there were two prominent individuals on the Board of Directors - Glenn Curtiss [who you mentioned] and Arthur Brisbane -- both of whom were great supporters of Howard Hill.  

Hill apparently worked for Curtiss as a metal shaper.  Howard actually used the wind tunnel that Curtiss had to design his broadhead.  As John Lee remembers Brisbane then moved to California.  He had two sons who he wanted to be exposed to the outdoors, and he invited Howard to do this.  That's when Howard moved to California.  They were also home schooled by Howard's wife.  

Then, of course, Curtiss moved to California as well and made the P38's and P 39's [aircraft].  The point is that Howard impressed both Brisbane and Curtiss who were influential members of the board and that could have resulted in Hill getting the job versus Powell even though the job was initially promised to Powell.  Nothing concrete -- but some food for thought.

[Liquid Amber]

Glenn Curtiss died in 1930 while Hill was still the archery golf pro at Opa Locka.  Authur Brisbane died in 1936, but Hill took Stewart [son] bear hunting in Wyoming in 1932, so he was making "men" of the boys while still in Miami.

He might have worked for Curtiss but I find it somewhat strange Hill doesn't show up in any of the newspaper articles or photos with Curtiss, Powell and others prior to that ad in 1926.  The archery community was pretty small then and one would think Hill would have become involved soon after his arrival in Miami.  

There could be any number of reasons Powell didn't come to Opa Locka after being announced by Curtiss.  At that point Hill wasn't in the same league as Powell so I don't think Hill won the position on his resume'.  From what I've learned of Powell, he seems to have been a gypsy, never staying long in any one place.  

It's so difficult to place stuff that far back with a great degree of exactness.  One cannot even depend completely on newspaper articles.  

[Tox Collector]

It is difficult to get a "handle" on things that far back -- still some questions that need answers.  The search continues!