The Parlor Age at Speed
The American Trotter
Harness racing, sold to every farmhouse wall.
Harness racing was the young republic’s speed obsession, and the print firms sold it by the sheet: the trotter at full extension, sulky wheels blurred by the lithographer’s license, the impossible stride printed twenty years before Muybridge ruined the fun with facts. Venue marks handled per the historical-document doctrine.
c. 1850–1890 · United States
The Trotting Mare Nancy Hanks
The record-holder to her bicycle sulky — the American parlor’s favorite athlete.
The Celebrated Trotting Mares Maud S. and Aldine
Maud S. and Aldine paired to Vanderbilt's wagon at Morrisania, two record mares stepping as one.
Trotting Cracks at Home, a Model Stable
Currier & Ives take the trotting cracks home to a model stable, Thomas Worth's gentlemen fussing over their harness stock.
Fast Trotting in the West - Lucy and Goldsmith Maid
Lucy and Goldsmith Maid head to head out West, Currier & Ives running two great mares stride for stride.
A Good Send Off - Goldsmith Maid, American Girl, Lucy and Henry
Four cracks get a good send-off at Fleetwood Park, Currier & Ives catching the moment the field breaks even.
Champion Trotting Stallion Smuggler
Smuggler, the champion stallion of the Milton stud, shown at his trot in a Currier & Ives sheet.
American Trotting Stud - Mambino Pilot, Flora Temple
A breeder's sheet of the American trotting stud, Currier & Ives lining up the sires that made the gait.
The Celebrated Trotting Mare Lucy, Passing the Judges' Stand
Lucy sweeps past the judges' stand at Buffalo to take the fourth heat, Currier & Ives holding her at the wire.
Celebrated Trotting Mare Lady Thorne
Lady Thorne, once the Maid of Ashland, drawn at her long low trot in a Currier & Ives sheet.
The Celebrated Trotting Mare Flora Temple, Driven by James D. McMann
Flora Temple flying to McMann's hands, the bobtail mare who first broke 2:20 laid out at speed.
The Grand Trotting Stallion Bonesetter
Bonesetter, son of the Brooks Horse, shown to the sulky as a stud sheet for the harness men.
Champion Trotting Queen Alix
Alix, the trotting queen of 1893, laid flat to the sulky in her 2:07 record at Washington Park.
The Celebrated Trotting Mare Goldsmith Maid Driven by Budd Doble
Goldsmith Maid in Budd Doble's hands at Buffalo, the queen of the trotters beating Lucy in record heats.
'Trotting Cracks' at the Forge
The trotting cracks pull up at the forge, Currier & Ives resting the road horses under the smith's lamp.
'Trotting Cracks' on the Snow
Sleighs and trotting cracks fly over packed snow, Currier & Ives making a winter sport of the road-wagon match.