Mr
Frank Gary
Crosswicks
- N.J. - USA
4-10-1982
Dear
Mr Gary,
I
was so good to hear from you once again and glad to know that you are working
on the 6th Edition of the Bantam
Standard. Regarding the sketches of the Pekin Bantam on pages 179 and 180
of my book, yes, use those sketches for your Australian Pekin Bantam Standard. In discussion with my son who
originally drew these up I made a few minor alterations, we feel this is what
we would require in a Pekin. It must fit into a circle. There could be comment
that the neck is too short and head and comb too small. However we feel that
overall the Pekins that are being exhibited especially the males are too big
in the comb so therefore when drawing up a standard it should be stressed that
it is what the bird should look like, not some exhibitors are benching.
I
have sold quite a number of my books throughout Australia and as yet there has
been no comment regarding the standard that I presented, so I feel that there
can’t be too much wrong. As you know from your experience there are
sometimes someone who would not agree but as you advised me previously they do
not count anyway.
I
think your nephew does the art work for you, will be interested to see what he
does with the sketches. But the way I noted in the Yearbook the description of
the comb in the Australian Pit Game, I’m not sure whether I mentioned before
to you regarding this point. I Thought I did but might not have. The comb on
the Australian Pit Game is not a pea comb. They are straight combed birds and
the males are dubbed in the same manner as an Old English Game. I guess the
Pit Game will go into the next edition of your
Bantam Standard. Did you ever do any work on Australorp
Bantam Standard (Australian)? I never received any copy on it from you.
Thank
you for your comment on my book. Although it’s not a professional print job.
I felt I had to get it out as it will assist some of the newer breeders in
this country as a guide to breeding and exhibiting Pekins. Hopefully early
next year I will be starting to put together more books on the history of the
indigenous breeds of Australia combining in one book. I will combine the
Australian Game, Australian Pit Game, Langshan and Australorp. Hopefully then
a book on the origin, evolution, history and distribution of the domestic
fowl, I have a great amount of material for these projects which I have
collected and researched over the last few years.
My
life has been very busy of late and I can’t find time to do many of the
things I want to do. I will write later and fill in the details. I am afraid
my correspondence is lagging somewhat but hope to get my house in order within
the next few months. Fortunately my health has kept fairly good but my eyes
are giving me some difficulties. The specialist told me recently that my eye
which has been the good eye will possibly eventually pack up a form of
cataract apparently. He then may be able to do something with it. I am having
some difficulties reading the small print. Am using Timoptol 0.25% drops at
the moment. That’s about all that can be done right now. Must press on now
and thanks for info on Pekins.
Sincerely
yours,