Girls Like Horses (Part One)
02.16.06 By Deanna DahlsadWhen I was a little girl, I loved horses (I think most little girls do), and I was an avid reader. So it would only make sense that I would discover The Black Stallion series by Walter Farley.
In summer I would ride my bike (often pretending it was a horse) to the library, where I’d roam the stacks for books. Eventually, I’d pick out enough books to fill that banana-seat bike’s basket, and head home (perhaps whinnying on the way). The frequency of my visits varied by weather and the difficulty of the books I selected, but one thing never differed: there was always at least one copy of The Black Stallion series in that basket.
Being a voracious reader from a thrifty family, buying books wasn’t something I did. Libraries were the most practical way to ensure enough texts to sate my need — no, my greed to read. As a child, I was able to devote entire days to reading, and so, I never had late books and the fines that accompany them. It wasn’t until high school, with the added responsibility of hard classwork and my first job, that I learned the pain of overdue book fines. Once I did, I discovered the joy of cashing my pay checks (nearly litreally) at the local bookstore. Of course, by this time, I had no interest in horse stories.
Fade out on my late teen years, and in on my 30’s. I’m older, but no better off in the overdue library book department, so I have learned to be wiser in my book purchases. I regularly shop for books at rummage sales — not only for myself, but for my children. One fateful summer morning, I find a hardcover copy of The Black Stallion. But the cover is not as I remember it. Remember, I had read the library copies, so the books I had read were either dull cloth boards, or pictorial boards with the modern arch or ‘horseshoe’ shape as a window to the illustration. Here, in my hands, was a dust jacket with much more impressive art!
I paid my 50 cents (my, this was a while ago now!), and I think I whinnied with excitement.
That night, smitten not only by joy of rediscovering a long lost friend and the excitement of introducing The Black to my children, but by the artwork, I searched online for more books in the Black Stallion series.
In my searching, I discovered that I was not the only one interested in reclaiming their childhood favorites — prices can run quite high especially as many titles are now out of print. But I also learned more about the author, and this convinced me that I was justified in my obsession to get all the books.
In 1940, while working on his first book, an editor told him, “Don’t figure on making any money writing children’s books.” Farley disagreed, saying “If you can write a book that will interest children you can make a living.” He proved his point with The Black Stallion and developing it into a series that has sold over a hundred million copies in the last 60 years, complete with a fan club. At the time of his death, Farley had received over 500,000 letters from fans, and his books remain popular — so popular, that generations later, movies based on his books are being made.
Like Alec and The Black, Farley did what he loved; he dared to dream, to use his imagination, and to make the dreams reality. And he inspired others to do the same.
In 1989 when Farley passed away, his local library in Venice, Florida, designated its children’s wing the Walter Farley Literary Landmark to honor the author’s legacy and his activity in children’s reading programs. A permanent exhibit of Black Stallion memorabilia is on display there.
To make a long story short, I now own 10 books in the series, including many first editions and copies with fine dust jackets. I also have Man O’ War, the three Island Stallion books, and an elusive copy of Farley’s The Great Dane Thor… I’m still on the lookout for an autographed copy, original fan club items… Well, you know how these things happen.
But as Walter Farley himself said, “I believe half the trouble in the world comes from people asking ‘What have I achieved?’ rather than ‘What have I enjoyed?’ I’ve been writing about a subject I love as long as I can remember, horses and the people associated with them, anyplace, anywhere, anytime. I couldn’t be happier knowing that young people are reading my books. But even more important to me is that I’ve enjoyed so much the writing of them.”
And I’ve enjoyed so much the reading and collecting of them.
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Article Tags: Black Stallion, children's books, horses, Walter Farley================
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February 24th, 2007 at 6:07 am
Did you ever write to him when you were a kid? I wrote to him relentlessly as a child (I’m now almost 37). Finally, I received a letter back! It was a fan letter response, signed by him, and with it was enclosed a black and white photo of him and a dapple gray. They are in front of a train. Of all the things I own, that letter is among the most treasured. I even have the envelope it came in.
. I loved your article. I have Man of War as well and several other first editions. Someday, maybe I’ll find the first one.
-MJ
February 26th, 2007 at 11:12 am
No, it never occurred to me as a child to write to him. I don’t know why — I think I was so smitten, it was a fantasy, including the author
I envy you your childlike understanding that you could — and that you have the letter and photo to prove it!
July 30th, 2007 at 4:34 am
[...] In the beginning libraries were where I found all my friends (as I called my books). But once I got my first job and I went to the mall to spend my first check and I discovered the book store, things changed. Suddenly here was a new idea: I could live with my dear friends instead of just having them over for visits. I became a book owner. [...]
January 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
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January 5th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
We Americans… bear the ark of liberties of the world.
January 31st, 2008 at 8:16 am
[...] really regret giving away, & occasionally selling, (almost) all of my horse collectibles, books and figurines. You may think you’ve outgrown them, but then there you are one day, buying [...]
March 7th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
car deals…
Excellent post. Keep it up!…
March 10th, 2008 at 10:50 am
[...] part of my childhood years as Walter Farley. In fact, the Billy and Blaze series was read prior to Farley’s Black Stallion series. Of the few books I owned (versus those I read at the library), several were also by C.W. Anderson [...]
January 14th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I can’t say what books that I read of Walter Farely’s but I know I read quit a few of them along with Margaret Henry. I was not a person that liked to read when I was younger because I really struggled with it but after I got introduced to The Black Stallion series by a teacher I was pretty much got hooked on any kind of horse book that I can get my hands on. I don’t read horse books anymore put that definitely got me hooked on horses and I’m almost finished with my Bachelors in Animal Science specializing in Equine. It is amazing what books can interest you in when you are a child.
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I am 57 years old now… in my youth, in the early 1960s, my girlfriend and I became honored members of The Walter Farley Fan Club. We had our clubhouse in her garage… we started each meeting with roll call, etc. We were quite serious. We devored all of the Walter Farley books. Now I have nothing… I believe my Mother gave it all away, when I was a teenager… but she didn’t know how important it was. All I have left is my book “The Wonderful World of Horses”, that is all cut-up inside because I used it to do a few essays for school projects. lol. Now my best girlfriend has just herself gotten into horses.. she actually has 2 horses, one, a baby and the other she is taking riding lessons on. She has her horses at a stable in northern California.. and all of the people and kids in this stable are just like we read about in the Farley books. It is my dream come true… only my girlfriend is doing it.
Its been fun to find this website and thanks for all the memories!
Sue
November 5th, 2009 at 4:03 am
Hello Sue,
Too many of us gave away (or had family give away) our horse books, figurines, etc. I myself gave most of my Breyer horses away to a younger cousin and have regretted it… The lesson here to younger horse fans: Save it all and move the boxes around as needed; you’ll be glad you did.
You ought to be able to replace copies of all your favorite Anderson & other horse books — plus many more — rather inexpensively at rummage sales, thrift stores, flea markets etc., if you don’t insist on first editions or signed copies. They likely won’t be the exact copies you had has a kid, but you will be able to enjoy them and collecting them!
Congrats to your friend who is living our dreams!
January 14th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
Came across your blog post when i was doing some research on Franklin Library and Eastob Press Books. I know these are big with collectors (my Dad liked them) but are they really considered “collectible” in your opinion. Also they sometimes state they are first editions – but how could they be? Aren’t they high end reprints? Anyway nice blog and I am going to forward the link to my dad.