American Poultry Standards a Study. A work in progress and contributions are welcome . An addition regards Bantam Standards 2022_01_26 attached. Some additions 2022_01_29 Standards committee and amendments to 1961 supplement.
I was recently reading “A History of the Department of Poultry Husbandry 1900-1960. " written by Loyal Payne in 1962 at Kansas State University ( shown above) The agriculture department had a significant poultry library, which is featured in this book, along with extensive lists of management publications and research papers.
Page 59-62 detail the extensive collection which triggered the Production of “A List of Poultry Books by Loyal F Payne 1942”. This list is a comprehensive list of books from the 16 major libraries, and annotates each entry with the libraries where they are held. A very useful bibliography up to 1942. I use the letters KSU to refer to this list. If I have any mistakes, or you know some more, please let me add it to this. Part of the reason for collecting this information is so that the book lovers in the poultry world will know what materials have been produced, and so be able to collect and preserve them for the future. Please help to further this work by your contributions, corrections and comments. All are welcome. You will see this article be edited at various times. Jim.
2022_01_02 Refresh of pictures ( overloaded the site)
2022_ 01_02 Comments on other APA publications
I looked at the picture of the “Complete set of American standards” and thought they looked very similar to the set that I have which came via mostly via John Skinner. John was known for his large library, and also was part of a poultry history group. When many of the early poultry libraries were dispersed, much came to the collections of the group, and hence some to me. The American standards as a set came to me. The history of the book especially a series like this is always interesting. Many questions flow about the books and many debates have occurred as which one was first , and who was involved. When substantial organizations are involved, there is often a “corporate” image which is portrayed as well, and an official history which requires examination.
So it is with this collection. KSU was very prompt with affixing their book plates to incoming books as the library was freely open to the university staff and students.
Most of the items have no proof they were in the KSU library, and the lists(see Payne) are somewhat variable. So I thought it useful to write something about what I know and what I speculate, for others after me to continue the collections.
Firstly the picture very useful though the caption is incorrect. Its obvious that there are more editions than the photo.
From the picture above with a magnifying glass the issues at KSU in about 1960 were as follows ;
1867, 1871, 1874, 1875, 1879, 1883, 1886, 1888, 1890, 1892, 1894, 1898, 1902, 1903, 1905, 1910, 1915, 1920, 1923?, 1925?, 1928?, 1938?. 22 copies up to 1938. It’s a bit hard to read the dates from the old pic, therefore the slight lack of certainty on some of the dates.
However the, the same article referenced the List of Poultry books by Loyal Payne ( abbreviated in the text to Payne) which lists some 39 editions of the standard up to 1942 when the list was published,.
Payne's List says 1867, 1871, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1878, 1879, 1883, 1886, 1888, 1890, 1890, 1892, 1893?, 1894,1898, 1900, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1909? 1910, 1912, 1913? 1914, 1915, 1920, 1921. 1922? 1923, 1924, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1930, 1938, 1940. 39 copies or 35 if the allowance is made for the ? ones. At which point the list was closed as the book was published. The questionable are because there is no other copies listed and none in the KSU library. I propose none of these exist, and though 1893 supposedly is listed in KSU, Idaho, and USDA the lack of page details make me think its unsighted and an error reference from the other locations.
That leads me to my list . shown above, Its the same as Payne as I derived it there originally, but I am missing 1876, 1878, 1886, 1890, 1892, 1893?, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1909?, 1912, 1913? 1914, 1921 1922? 1923, 1926, 1928. I have only sighted those 20 copies and several are duplicates each with a specific story. But alas. my list is not all the books from that first KSU library, but I am still of the opinion, that what I have is the remains of that collection.
So I will describe those I have.
Only one has a spine label, though 4 others have repaired spines so the labels on them are different or don’t count as definitive history.
I have included my catalogue numbers to identify the individual books and copies. And the date being the second identity, then the title and author or publisher. I have listed them beginning from the oldest forward.
1867
The so called Halstead standard ,first published in 1867 according to the Library of Congress approval, but actual print is 1870. 200mm x 214mm pp37 inc adds and some blank pages at rear. Leather with yapp corners. Spine repaired, and some crude book block repairs. ( pics above)
This copy is likely the copy from KSU as it has the KSU bookplate, but also the book plate of E E Richards who donated it to the KSU. In addition the picture shows the 1867 as having damaged spine, and the leather has been pared very thin over the cover so its easily damaged on the corners. The cover and the book plates are above.
The first title reads, " The American Standard of Excellence as adopted by (missing letters ---an) The New England, the Pennsylvania, and The Connecticut State Poultry Societies . Complied and published by A.M.Halsted registered by act of Congress in New York " then "New York Philip E Bogert Stationer and Printer 174 &176 Pearle St 1870. This title page is printed on the rear with adds and is accompanied by another 2 pages of adds. Then follows ;
The second title page has the description “The Standard of Excellence as adopted by the American Poultry Society being a reprint of the same as compiled by the London Poultry Club ( unsighted by me, if you have a copy send me a pic and some Biblio data. Could this be Tegetmeier's Standard, referencesd in The Poultry Book 1867) with adaptions and additions adapting it to America . Published by A.M. Halstead New York. “ 1867
Now for our first oddity. There are two title pages for this book, with different information. Was this first published with the first title page, and then later with the second title page? I havent access to the early Library of Congress records to see the details. Or is there indeed another copy of this standard floating around unsighted in any bibliography?
It is interesting that though this has a Richards Bookplate it is not listed in A collection of Poultry Books owned by E E Richards, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, August 1 1912. (EER)
It is worthy of note however, that the APA dos not list either of these as official standards, they were before the APA was officially formed .
1871
(#6180) 1871 165 x 110mm 88pp with a few rear blank leaves for notes. ( above)
It also has both book plate of KSU over the bookplate of EER. It is often listed as the second Halstead standard. The original stiff paper glossy wrapper is so worn all the print is difficult to read. “The American Standard,” with a crest in the centre, with “Massachusetts Poultry Association 1871 Boston” , then “of Excellence” underneath.
Title page. “The American Standard OF Excellence as revised and amended by the Poultry Fanciers of America At their convention held in New York May 10 1871 and adopted by the Massachusetts Poultry Association at Boston Mass May 31 1871.”
On the back of the title page is the certification of entry to Library of Congress May 10th 1871.
A newspaper cut-out of the picture of W.H. Lockwood, “pioneer of the Poultry Standard for the United States see page 401 A.P.W”. is pasted to the FEP. ( A.P.W. does anyone know of this publications?) However it is my opinion this has been attached to the wrong volume as the following in #6812 seems to indicate the correct attribution of W H. Lockwood..
Bound in the same style as #2674. And spine repaired same way. It is also not in EER.
A second printing was done in 1873. Unsighted by me and details unconfirmed.
1874 The first official APA standard.
(#6182) 1874 This book is often called the first of the American Standards of Excellence as it is published by the American Poultry Association. Also not listed in EER, ( E E Richards was the president of the APA for some years) though has the book plate of KSU and EER. This book is an exceptional copy having been finely bound, but at some time the spine has been damaged and repaired, pretty sloppy, but the old spine is lost. It may be this is the copy in the picture of the Payne collection as the spine on the 1874 copy in the picture is a special leather spine with decoration as would be expected on this volume. ( see third from the left in the KSU collection and the closeup of the spine above). The quality of this binding is excellent, however the separation of the end papers shows the cover attachment was not of the same quality as the gold work.
The title page. “The American Standard of Excellence as revised by the United Poultry Fanciers of America convened under the auspices of The American Poultry association at their convention held in Buffalo, N.Y. January 15 1874 giving a complete description of all the recognized varieties of fowls. Printed and Published for the American Poultry Association 1874.” With stamps of the KSU.
On the back of the title, “ Entered according to the act of Congress in the year 1874 by Chas A Sweet, Wm H Lockwood, and Philander Williams as trustees of the American Poultry Association, in the Library of Congress Washington."
"We hereby certify that we have compared this edition of the “American Standard of Excellence” with the official minutes of the meeting of the American Poultry Association held at Buffalo January 1-20 1874 and find it correct, followed by printed engraved signatures of Jos W Wade, WM Churchman, Charles A Sneed, Alston B Estes, We H Lockwood, H H Stoddard, Committee of publication.”
180mm x 130mm pp102 leather with repaired spine AEG with gold finish outside of cover and on the inside of the leather turn in.
Additions
Front leather cover stamped E.C.Skinner ( relationship to John Skinner unknown)
Book Plates fixed ep KSU and E E Richards KSU on top of EER
Front fee EP "Presented to EE Richards by Louis Stahmer Poultry Artist 1913 ( This dates the presentation of the book to EER who fixed his ep. Later after 1913 gifted to KSU and their plate fixed over the EER plate. So the donation is after 1913.
Stamp from KSU on EP
Front free ep a picture “ Mr E.C Skinner with inscription from a photo 1874 and signed EE Richards”.
Second fep Inscription “This edition of the standard was printed by W H Lockwood of Hartford Conn for the American Poultry Association ( see official proceedings) EE Richards.”
A letter to EE Richards to W H Lockwood in reply to a request for old poultry books. Feb 27 1917.
A second letter from same March 6 1917 saying that he found a bound standard ( this book) and he was welcome to it.
Some death notices regarding Mr Campbell. April 1917.
All included above.
1874 replica issued 1905
#6181 1874 souvenir edition of the 1874 standard issued in 1905. Leather covered with a repaired spine and the leather edges in poor condition . Stamped on the front in gold. “ Souvenir of the first edition.” Also from the library of EER and not in his list of 1912.( pic above) The only real difference is the presentation panel shown above.
Very useful as it has an apparently approved historical record of the early standards as has the original 1894
This copy has an inscription “presented to EE Richards by Grant M Curtis President of the APA 1906-7 “ and with a pasted in picture of Grant Curtis.
1875
#6183 is a revised edition following the convention January 15 1875 but in a wrappers format, a low cost stab stitched book with cloth cover on thin boards, but block and covers trimmed to same length. 180 x 115mm 243pp and thicker paper than the earlier edition. This copy has no ownership marks.
At this point the production of the standard moves itself to a more standardized form. 170mm x 1145mm cloth covered mostly moron cloth with a few plate embossed lines with some variability to the embossing.
1879
#6189 1879 243mm , 243pp, maroon cloth, listed on title as seventh edition, registered with Congress 1878 by Chas Sweet, A.D. Warren and Philander Williams. This also means there was an edition almost every year frim the 1871 edition
#2154 1879 243mm , 243pp, blue cloth, listed on title as seventh edition, registered with Congress 1878 by Chas Sweet, A.D. Warren and Philander Williams. This copy in dark blue cloth with light blue EP. No ownership details. No pic.
1882 not sighted but referenced in the 1942 entry
1883
#6190 1883 ninth edition 1883 256pp no id excepts a booksellers stamp Bertrand Books. so only one missing edition between 1879 and 1883. Missing edition unsighted by me.
In addition the "annual meetings are no longer annual"
1888
#6189 Un numbered edition 1888 pp 244 edited by Harmon S Babcock maroon cloth no marks. It was after the 13th annual convention.
1891
#6188 printed 1891 but still 1888 version identical maroon cloth this one with an interesting inscription.
1893
“6187” 1893 but still the 13th ed. Ownership label and annotation inside front front Mr Andrews.
1894
#6186” 1894 approved at 18th meeting Chicago 1893 ed B N Pierce now 278pp
1898
#6185” 1898 edited by J.H. Drevenstedt pp255 maroon cloth APA committee Felch, Sternberg, and Drevenstedt. Owners signature on board paper P P Pendarris 1899 last page loose.
1900
#4480” 1900 edited by J.H. Drevenstedt pp255 same committee same text. as 1898 convention.
Wanted to see 1904 standard or at least a pic of the cover..
The next change in style is the larger format with embossed cloth featuring a Houdan and Illustrated.
1905
#6191” 1905 205 x 145mm 290pp green cloth with yapp edge . This copy with owners name, ”J H Markham Independence Wisconsin Jan 1 1908.” Included is a card from the USDA with a list of poultry bulletins.
The historical introduction specifies the first standard of the American Poultry Assn was printed and issued to the public in February 1874.
This standard is the first illustrated standard with extensive information of defects feather structure, and instructions to judges. The illustrations of Sewell, Burgess, Graham and Schilling enliven the text and start on the road to the modern standards.
1906
#6192. 1906 299 pp 205 x 145mm . cover same as above #6191 some revision to #6191, In that it includes the Constitution and bylaws of the APA. No mention of the alteration in the intro and letter to poultry associations.
Owners name Robert E Kraithmore? 119 Tolain st Ithaca NY and 544 Elm St Buffalo NY. The index has some annotations dividing the breeds into origin, Am(erica) med(iteranean), English, Asiatic, Dutch, French.
1910
#6192. 1910 edition Revised content from 1909 and 1910 34th and 35th conferences. A revised format 200 x 145mm 331pp. Embossed cloth gold titles and Black embossed Hamburg in black line work. ( pic above) Near fine condition. The distinctive is that the plates become electrotypes not engravings from the same grouping , Sewell, Burgess, Graham and Schilling. This edition includes the first colour photographs of feathers. A big step forward.
Owners stamp “Private Library of Leslie E Card book no 1001, along with signature and address. 519 E Buffalo st Ithaca NY.” Card was a prominent researcher in the developing modern poultry industry, and had a significant library of all things poultry.
1915
#6193 1915 edition 205 x 145mm pp368 revised at the 1913/1924 38th and 39th conference meetings . Expanded descriptions and breed additions, but with no colour plates of feathers.
Signature of “Paul J Hardt “on fep, and the gloss paper effected by moisture to rear sections . No damage but some waviness of the pages. same cover as #6192
1920
#6194. 1920 in front cover 1921 inside 205 x 145mm pp368 revised at the 1913 and 1914 ( 38/ 39 meetings. Identical content to the 1915 near fine. No annotations. same cover as #6193 An interesting flaw in that the gold blocking on the outside of the cover says 1920 and the title says 1921. I can find no evidence that the earlier cove was added to the later book block at a later date so assume it was a publication mix-up. Does anyone else have this edition like this?
1923
#6196. 1923 edition 205 x 145mm pp427 . This copy foxed perhaps as a result of materials used in the cover and storage in a less than optimum location. Cracked front hinge between pp14 and 15 rear joint also poor. Foxing at rear due to storage of leaflets in rear of book, called Questions for the judging exam. The cover features the Standard of Perfection logo with a large feather. Revised 1922 , 47th conference. The first edition I have with a rear index. Additional pictures of the frame and structure of fowls. Glossary but no colour plates.
Signature “ J August Hawke 1923” on front free ep. (is this person related to E.B.Hawke who prepared the bibliography below)
1924
#6195A 1924 edition revised 1922 conference same as #6196 cover rubbed on rear contents clean.
1927
#6197 1927 edition 190 x 130mm pp 438 perhaps rebound or a presentation edition in leather with yap edges, gold tooled name “L.E.Card”. block edges in red ochre. Identical in content to #6196 but for rebinding. I suspect these are presentation editions, and perhaps most editions were done in similar method. Needs some spine attention internal. 1922 edition content.
1928
Courtesy of Katie Stanbridge Chickenhistorynow FB
1930
#6198 1930 edition 195 x 130mm pp 487. Revise at 1929 (54th conf) meeting. Near fine in red cloth with the 2 feather logo embossed Name label “C.H.Chapmen” on inside front cover and supplement tipped in for 1930 edition. New feather photos of various feathers but still in b& w . Pic above. In addition a supplement look added covering several breeds.
1938
#6199 1938 edition195 x 140mm pp492. 1937/38 63/64 conferences. Presentation leather yapp binding with gold embossed name “G D McClaskey.” Very good condition some rub marks on the spine revised at the 1938 meeting. Perhaps a a presentation edition.
1940
#6200 1940 edition 195 x 145mm pp492. Near fine condition Blue cloth. Revised at the 1937, 1938, and 1939 conferences. Title says 1938-40 edition same page length as 1938.
Signature “F W Putman” of free end paper.
1942
#6201 1942 edition 200 x 140mm pp492 Brown leatherette perhaps a presentation copy never presented and named. in yap style with yellow edges. . Revised 1937-42 62-67 conferences. Signature “Lea M Mungur. Oakdale Ill July 2nd 1943” one loose page spine rubbed otw fine. An addition a letter from Harry Atkins APA secretary 1943 thanking him for the receipt of the 1882 standard for the APA reference library.
1945
#6202 1945 edition 200 x 145mm pp492. Revised 1945 by the committee. with 68/69 conferences. This copy poor condition has been damp so pages wrinkles and a few stuck. Light blue cloth.
1946 gone missing
#6203 1946 edition 200 x 145mm pp492 revised at 1944 conference. Green cloth vg condition
1953
#6204 1953 revised edition 195 x 140mm pp 585pp. revised at 1949, 1951 and 1952 ( 76-78) conventions. and also 1958 edition. A large number of revisions, including dust jackets. A lot of promotion with pamphlets announcing its pending arrival, and also it ran to 3 editions of the same work. This copy light brown and stamped with “Thomas L Perry “on the cover. Dust jacket badly damaged. A number of coloured feather plates and also Australorp is included though I haven’t checked to see if this is first edition with them included.
1958 Unsighted.
1961
#4579 1961 Supplement to the American Poultry Standard of Perfection for Domesticated Land and Water Fowl 1953 and 1958 adopted at the 88 Convention York Pa.210x140mm 24pp Wrappers. This copy with John Skinners stamp.
1962
#6206 1962 edition 200 x 145mm pp585 looks like the 1953 edition but with no supplements same pagination as the 1953. Red cloth Bookplate” Brian Causby”
1969
1969 edition 200 x 145mm pp585 plus the supplements 2nd supp. to the 1953 pp40 plus supplement to the 1953 pp24. Identical to the 1953 plus the 2 supplements. Has a dust jacket and signed by “John L Skinner”.
1980
#6207 1980 edition 200 x 145mm pp585 plus supplements pp40. revised at the 76-79 conventions Grey cloth 100th anniversary copy . Fine condition with a tipped in flyer from John Skinner.
1983
#6208 1983 Standard . 280 x 200mm 208pp plus 101 pages of full colour . This is the first in the new format of colour, and a great leap forward for standards. This copy from the library of John Skinner with his book tag on the FEP a bit rubbed on the corners. ( above)
1985
#6209 1985 Edition 280 x 200mm pp336 with colour spread throughout. Another step in the development for the standard. Brown cloth similar to #723 a few rub marks.
1989
#722 1989 Edition 280 x 200mm pp336 with colour spread throughout. Red cloth near fine virtually identical to #6209. similar to #723
1998
#723 1998 Edition 280 x 200mm pp367 with colour spread throughout. Green cloth near fine . Addition of Index at rear.
Other Standards and publications of the American Poultry Assn.
At times the APA has released standards either as stand alone, extended breed books, or as offprint standards. There maybe other titles in this series of which I am not aware. Please help me with details if you have them. I recognize here other contributors if they wish to be recognised. I thank Edward Blash for alerting me to other volumes.
1916
Twenty Lessons in Poultry Keeping by C.T.Patterson Lippincott 195 x 140mm 29pp. Hardcover B/W illustrations . Subscription by author.
1919
In addition the APA released 4? other breed books. by notes Authors. details are somewhat difficult to find and copies are scarce. If you have one and are happy to contribute please do so.
#1275 Smith. A. C. ed The Plymouth Rock Standard and Breed Book 1919 200 x 140mm pp432 black and white. Published by APA. Although it consists of the standards and a lot of additions, the authors list and the quality of the selection of the contributors makes this an important stand alone work. This copy annotated “L.J Dremberger, Stewardsville, Indiana 8-13-19” (us date format) A well read copy . A C Smith was well know for his work with Plymouth Rocks and ed other journals.
The Wyandottes by Nourse 1919 200 x 140mm 408pp.
Several others have some scant reference which I have been unable to verify.
1928
#2501 Abridged edition The American Standard of Perfection Illustrated .bridged editions These are offprints of the 1922 standard and were released in 1928. Four editions were released that I have been able to find in the reference materials.
Rhode Island Red 60pp, above, Leghorns 80pp, Wyandottes 60pp, Plymouth Rocks 80pp the last 3 unsighted by me. Send me some pics and I can add the others
1961
Cover Label.
#2492 1961 Supplement to American Standard Of Perfection for domesticated land and waterfowl 220 x 140mm 24pp stapled wrappers supplement to the 1953 Standard.
Extra pics showing the cover of the draft, I assume a copy circulated to committee members for approval, along with the title page of the draft and a comparison of the type written draft and the published version.
1992
#4845 Black and White APA Standard Illustrations by Schilling, Burges, Graham, and Sewell 1992 215 x 140mm pp96 Wrappers stapled.
American Poultry Association other publications in preparations.
Just when I think its finished, I realize there is another batch of material not documented ( as least as far as I know. Additions and contributions welcome)
An Addition, Bantam Standards, Yearbooks, and supplementary materials.
With the APA being the dominant force in the USA I guess its easy to overlook the Bantam Standards and other publications from the American Bantam Association. I am not even clear on the relationship between the two.
I have only 2 copies on the shelf 1979 and 1988, and so I derive my information here from those, and look forward to a contribution or two from other collectors which I am sure will straighten this omission for the study of American Standards. Pictures and biblio details, dates pages pictures are welcome and will be attributed to contributors.
The intro to the 1979 edition starts, "The third edition of the BANTAM STANDARD is dedicated to Frank L Gary who has devoted a lifetime of study to the breeds and varieties of bantam chickens. He was responsible for the first second and now the third fully revised edition." The book is 328pp with all b/w pictures.
The front cover of the 8th edition published in 1988 celebrates the 75th anniversary of the ABA 1914-1989. 284pp with colour and b/w plates. A fortunate inclusion is the list of ABA publications, and a mention of the Bantam Duck standard, as well as many breed books. In addition the ABA yearbooks are yet to be documented elsewhere by me.
References.
Payne, Loyal F. A list of poultry Books published Agricultural Experimental Station Kansas State University 1942 Manhattan Kansas
Richards, E.E. A collection of Poultry Books owned by E. E Rickards Cedar Rapids 1912.
Payne, Loyal. F. History of the Department of Poultry Husbandry 1900-1960. 1962.
Jeffers, A selection of Old Poultry Books English and American with a Chronology of significant dates in Poultry History, and A Digest of R C Punnets “notes on old Poultry Books” 1954.
Hawks. E.B A bibliography of Poultry 1897.
Edward Blash personal communication USA