Last week in the US we picked up several vintage postcards that certainly make for fascinating viewing. Published in 1910 they depict various hunting scenes from the epic safari of Theodore Roosevelt's which was conducted from 1909-10. At the time this was the largest safari ever conducted in Africa and involved some of the greatest hunters of the day including F.C.Selous and R.J.Cunninghame.
Over 500 animals and birds were collected by the former US President and his son Kermit, all of which were carefully skinned, prepared and shipped to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington. This huge safari set the standard for the luxury safaris that were to follow and clearly put East Africa on the map for the dedicated US hunter.
Today Africa remains a magical safari destination where sportsmen from around the world can still participate in one of the last great adventures. Whether or not you would be able to send postcards such as these today is another matter altogether!
Ken Hill on January 18, 2017 at 2:31 am
Larry and Trigger,
Look on page 28 of African Game Trails. TR states “My rifles were an army Springfield, 30-caliber, stocked and sighted to suit myself; a Winchester 405; and a double- barrelled 500-450 Holland, a beautiful weapon presented to me by some English friends.” Kermit carried substituted the Springfield for another Winchester and had a double-barrel Rigby.
If TR carried a Germanic rifle to Africa, I didn’t find it mentioned.
Ken
Gary Duffey on January 18, 2017 at 12:59 pm
The “Germanic” rifle mentioned was one stocked by Fred Adolph of Genoa, NY, and engraved by Rudolph J. Kornbrath. This rifle, a scalloped snap action was made after the famous 1909 safari to East Africa. Adolph was a German trained, immigrant to the US. He made a variety of guns, combination guns and rifles on imported actions as well as a stocker of the US 1903 Springfield which are highly collectible. He was one of the true early pioneers in custom guns in the US.
Peter Buckley. on January 15, 2017 at 11:24 am
Good to see Westley Richards ephemera collection expanding, I seem to think Simon had a weakness for such things.
Any gun room would look quite naked without accessories and ephemeral items.
No I don’t think such postcards would arrive at their destination these days, but it could be worth a try!
In the second and fourth postcards the prominent rifle shown, forgive my ignorance, is it a ‘Savage’ dangerous game calibre rifle? Some time ago I came across a photo album from around the same period in Africa and a couple of the images depicted fallen dangerous game and the hunter proudly standing there also with the same type of rifle, if it’s possible please put me right about the brand name of these rifles.
Keep on with your enthusiasm.
Peter.
Larry on January 16, 2017 at 4:52 pm
Honestly, one could easily confuse them!
But the Germanic rifle to which I referred is currently on display at the NRA museum! I think the Holland is held in another collection.
Trigger on January 16, 2017 at 5:00 pm
Ha-ha! I hope your right!