HORSEHAIR BRIDLES - A UNIQUE AMERICAN FOLK ART VOLUME 3 FIRST EDITION HARDCOVER For Sale

Horsehair Bridles: A Unique American Folk Art by Ned and Jody Martin. Volume 3 of the Bridles of the Americas. Published by Hawk Hill Press, Nicasio, CA. First Edition 2016. Hardcover. Illustrated in Color Photographs. 189 pages. Large Format 14 inches by 12 1/2 inches. In Very Good + condition. Dust jacket has two punches as shown in photographs but all other parts of this book are in very good to excellent condition. No marks or folds to the inside pages. Hitched horsehair bridles are an intricate form of American folk art crafted primarily by inmates in Western territorial and state penitentiaries between 1880 and 1940. The technique of \"hitching\" involves knotting small bundles of dyed horsehair (usually from a horse\'s tail) over a core string in precise geometric patterns like diamonds and zigzags.The golden age of this craft flourished in 12 major Western prisons—such as Yuma Territorial Prison in Arizona and Deer Lodge Prison in Montana—where inmates had the time and patience required for the tedious work.The practice combined Spanish Vaquero and Moorish traditions brought through Mexico with unique American frontier craftsmanship.Artisans used dyed hair in vibrant shades like red, gold, and black alongside natural white or brown hair, often decorating the headstalls with glass dog rosettes, tassels, and handmade bits.The definitive reference on the subject is Horsehair Bridles, A Unique American Folk Art by Ned and Jody Martin, which features detailed histories of the regional prison styles and hundreds of photographs.Authentic antique prison-made horsehair bridles are rare, highly coveted Americana collectibles that often command thousands of dollars depending on the complexity, condition, and color palette.