Photograph: C. W. Pearsall and shaggy, curly coated horse, 1880s

From Barnum Museum

Eisenmann Photography (created by)

circa 1880 – 1890 (Date manufactured/created)

4 1/4" H X 6 3/8" W
4 1/4" H X 6 3/8" W

Cabinet card photograph of C. W. Pearsall and a large, shaggy coated horse.  The man is identified by inscription on the back reading "Compliments to my friend Fritz Smith of Saratoga NY [signed] C W Pearsall Syracuse NY."  The photograph shows the man in jacket and trousers, hat and coat over his arm, holding the lead of a horse somewhat taller than himself.  The horse's coat is quite notably long and curly or shaggy, and the horse is full sized, not like a shaggy Shetland Pony.  Supposedly a type of horse that came to be called a Curly was first documented in the American Southwest in Nevada in the early 20th century.  The photograph probably dates to the 1880s.  Edwin Fritz Smith and his wife Kitty Sharpe Smith made Saratoga Springs their permanent home in the mid-1880s.

Gift of Susan Crozier Fairchild

Accession/ID Number MS-0027-506-003