I asked my friend Rich Pierce to write a review of our new publication as Rich has a unique perspective of the Hartley drawings. Not only is Rich Pierce is a member of the CLA and an amateur gunsmith, horner and accoutrement maker, but a relative of Mr. Hartley himself. Thanks for reading this review. Best regards, Rick Sheets

The Hartley Horn Drawings, Presented by the Honourable Company of Horners
A Book Review by Rich Pierce, guest author

This new book published in 2010 of powder horn illustrations is unique in several ways.  It presents drawings made in the 1930’s of early, decorated powder horns from the Mohawk River valley of New York state.  Instead of photos of horns, colored drawings of horns are presented as if the “skin” was unwrapped and laid flat so we can visualize the entire horn in one view.  These drawings were painstakingly made by Robert M. Hartley, an amateur historian and archeologist, and represent just one aspect of his contributions to area history and material collections.

This 79 page soft cover book, 8 ½” x 11”, in color on glossy paper represents the work of the Honourable Company Horners (HCH), a group of dedicated craftsmen, historians, and collectors.   The book begins with a brief history of that organization, background about the Margaret Reaney Memorial Library and its collections in St. Johnsville, NY where the original drawings are displayed, and a chapter about the techniques employed in drawing powder horns as if they were “unwrapped.” Following this interesting background information, we find drawings of forty horns.   The whereabouts of only a small number of these horns is still known, so for the most part these horns will be new to the reader’s eyes.  In cases where the original horn has been located, photographs of the horn are shown beside the Hartley drawings, offering a real sense of the accuracy of his renditions.  The horns illustrated here offer a rather unique view into history through two lenses.  First, Mr. Hartley wrote what was known of each horn including some history of its original and current owners at the time of drawing in the 1930’s.  Secondly, some drawings are also accompanied by a brief commentary by a Master Horner of the HCH, offering insights about the styling of the horn and its decoration.  The drawings feature horns from the French and Indian War period through the War of 1812.  Several classical map horns of the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars are illustrated, some appearing to be professionally made and decorated, and others decorated in folk art styles.   Of the important horns included there is a Jacob Gay horn dated 1759; this is his earliest of twenty horns known by his hand.   Many of the horns are simply spectacular; tastefully decorated throughout the body with maps, geometric, floral, or military designs, and sketches of animals and persons of the time. 

Two of my personal favorites are the Aaron Putnam horn, 1776, and the John I. Putnam horn dated 1757.  Hartley was able to link a number of the horns to local soldiers who served in the French and Indian and Revolutionary Wars, providing insights into frontier life in the Mohawk and Schoharie Valleys in New York. Following the presentation of the forty horn drawings there is an analysis of the elements of design found on these horns, cataloguing the use of maps, coats of arms, forts, ships, persons, animals, people, etc, showing the most interesting motifs in higher magnification for our study. I found the book to exceed every expectation, though in retrospect I should not be surprised in the least, for the HCH is a company of extraordinary craftsmen and artists who are gifted in design and dedicated to our history. 

The layout and design of the book are of first quality and for those who are fascinated by early powder horns, I consider this a “must have” book that will be perused over and over, offering glimpses into our history and a valuable resource for the horners of today and tomorrow. My interest in the Hartley drawings predates the genesis of this fine book.  Robert M. Hartley was my great-uncle; that is, he married my grandfather’s sister, Fannie Pierce.  Around 1960, when I was about seven years old, Aunt Fannie passed away and my grandfather was the executor of her estate.  I accompanied my grandpa as he sorted through the household goods and accompanying farming equipment at the Hartley estate, which we considered a “mansion.”  Robert M. Hartley had lived as a country gentleman-farmer, employing others to do the farm work while he pursued his interests in archeology and history.  Among the many items in their attic were some copies of the Hartley drawings now shown in this new book.   Though I was just seven or eight years old, these black and white copies of magnificent historical horns captured my imagination.  Grandpa said I could have those old papers if I wanted them.  I kept the copies of those drawings with me for decades, hauling them from my childhood home in the Mohawk Valley of New York State to New Jersey, then Missouri as we followed our careers.

Around 2005 I was planning another powder horn and looked to my copies of the Hartley drawings for inspiration.  I chose what I call “the Ugly Mermaid Horn”, dated 1757, and inscribed with the name, Daniel Weatherhead.   Hartley’s drawing of this horn is pictured on page 26 of the new book.  In addition to a large figure of a rather unattractive mermaid, this French and Indian War era horn is decorated with floral designs representing seaweed, sea-snakes, and a nice, thick codfish.  I took some liberties as I made my own “Ugly Mermaid Horn” including an unplanned but necessary sheet brass repair fastened over a crack with nails and cutlers resin. I learned that John Proud and other members of the Honourable Company of Horners were planning a book about the Hartley drawings, and was delighted to know that Hartley’s drawings would soon be available for enthusiasts. 
I am sure these old drawings will help provide new inspiration for many horners, collectors and historians.
-Rich Pierce
Click here to order the book.