"Painted Ponies, American Carousel Art" Book

By William Manns and Elizabeth Clair Flood. With a foreword by Roy Rogers.

This book contains useful guides, charts and directories for the collector, preservationist, carver, artist or enthusiast. PAINTED PONIES has become the classic book of carousel art. This extraordinary coffee table stylebook presents the finest carving examples by the most renowned carousel artists. Featuring the rarest horses and most unique menagerie animals were selected from America’s premier private collections and antique operating carousels. The classic book of American carousel art with over 600 color photos, 256 pages.

The joyous carousel rekindles wonderful childhood memories. These icons of yesteryear were carved around the turn-of-the-century, when more than 6,000 of them revolved to the brassy tune of the band organ. Storms, fires and neglect have taken their toll; only slightly more than 200 have survived. PAINTED PONIES is a larger-than-life look at these vanishing antique treasures.

The carousel originated in Europe, but achieved its highest artistic glory in America. Created at the hands of immigrant craftsmen, this dazzling art form has entertained, thrilled and fascinated generations of Americans. Lasting only 25 years, the golden age of the carousel ended in the 1920s. PAINTED PONIES traces the development of these artists and their carving styles through contemporary and rare historic photographs and illustrations.