About the author
Sam Savitt (1917–2000) illustrated over 100 books, and wrote several horse stories. Besides his book illustrations, he was also the official artist to the United States Equestrian Team. It was a matter of great pride to him that the first horse he trained, War Bride, was on the team.
When the child Sam Savitt was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he would reply “I want to be a horse.” This he appears not to have achieved. He studied art, and was influenced by Harold Von Schmidt, famous for his illustrations of the American West, under whom he studied, and Paul Brown. He graduated from Pratt Institute in New York City in 1940. He then spent four and a half years in Burma during World War II with the army engineering corps, but managed to find horses even there. He started his career doing magazine illustrations, and became well known for his illustrations for Dell comic book covers, for whom he did Western illustrations. He wrote, or co-wrote, 17 books on horses, as well as private commissions and the Sam Savitt series of charts, which were used in the Smithsonian.
His first book was Step A Bit – The Story of a Foal. The book started as a series of illustrations. When they were complete, Sharon Banagan, an editor at EP Dutton, who published the book, suggested he write some words to pull the drawings together. Savitt’s first reaction was that he couldn’t, but Banagan said “Oh sure you can, just little simple sentences. This is his first day out…” Sam Savitt went on to write seven horse books for children, though There Was a Horse and A Horse to Remember are essentially the same book. It took him a couple of books before he entered the world of fiction proper; Midnight, the next book he wrote after Step a Bit, is the fictionalised story of a real horse. After There was a Horse, he returned again to writing about a real life situation with Wild Horse Running. Perhaps he was happier dealing with what he could see; after all, much of his life was spent drawing just that.
His illustrations have a unique charm. UK readers are most likely to have come across them in William Corbin’s Horse in the House, which although it had a different cover illustrator in its Puffin printing, did keep the Sam Savitt illustrations inside. He had that very rare ability to draw both horses and people: some are not perhaps as succesful as others (I can’t bring myself to like the cover of Suzanne Wilding’s Harlequin Horse), but in the main I love them. They are full of energy.
Sam Savitt led an energetic life: always a keen rider, he continued to ride until he was in his eighties, when he had a stroke which unfortunately meant he could no longer paint or ride. The author of an excellent essay on Sam Savitt, Leo Pando, said “Once he lost his artistic gifts, he lost his will to live.” Sam Savitt died on December 25, 2000.
Thank you to Bette Savitt, of Sam Savitt Art & Books, for permission to use images of his work.
Books illustrated by Sam Savitt
I suspect there are very many more than I have managed to find so far. If you know of any, do please let me know via the contact info.
Finding the books
I will only cover books Sam Savitt wrote here; with the ones he illustrated, how hard they are to find depends on the author’s rarity. So, some of the Patsey Grays will cost you a lot. Of the books Sam Savitt authored Step a Bit is expensive, even as an ex-library copy. Midnight is easy and cheap to find as a paperback; a bit less so in hardback but not impossible. There was a Horse is cheap, but generally ex library. A Horse to Remember, Wild Horse Running, Vicki and the Black Horse and Vicki and the Brown Mare are all cheap as both paperback and hardback. For UK buyers: the books do occasionally turn up, but you will probably have to buy them from America.
Links and sources
An article on Sam Savitt’s work: an excellent essay, well worth reading.
Sam Savitt’s website: run by Sam’s widow – prints, books and other memorabilia for sale
Wikipedia article on Sam Savitt
A review of There Was a Horse
Many thanks to Susan Bourgeau, Lisa Catz, Amy M Buchanan and Konstanze Allsopp for supplying pictures and information.
Series
Vicki
Vicki and the Black Horse
Vicki and the Brown Mare
Bibliography (horse books only)
Step a Bit – The Story of a Foal
EP Dutton, New York, 1956
This is, oddly enough, the story of a foal. Step-a-bit is a Thoroughbred foal, born in
a stall. This is his story.
Midnight, Champion Bucking Horse
E P Dutton, New York, 1957
Scholastic pb, 1957, 1963, 1965, 1969
Parents’ Magazine Press, 1974
The story of a real horse: Midnight was the greatest Rodeo bucking horse of all time. No one ever managed to stay on his back for more than 10 seconds. He was not vicious: he simply competed with man and won. His story is told by the three people who knew him best: Jim McNab, Vern Elliot and Pete Knight. Sam Savitt worked closely with Vern Elliot, the only survivor when the book was
written, to recreate the horse and his story.
There Was a Horse
The Dial Press, 1961
Mike Benson takes a chance on buying the and buys the big gray Viking. His girl friend, Jenny, is alternatively proud and resentful. Training doesn’t go well. Mike experiences one humiliating fall after another. Then Derf, a new farmhand, shows up and provides clues to the mystery of the Thoroughbred’s past. The three throw themselves into a rigorous steeplechasing training
programme that reaches a thrilling climax at the Maryland Hunt Cup Race.
Vicki and the Black Horse
Doubleday, 1964
Scholastic, pb, 1975, 1989, 140 pp.
This is the story of a friendship between two horses. Vickie buys a half-starved pony, who, when he is better, turns out to be an escape artist and an outlaw, loved only by Pat, the black Thoroughbred who was the pride of the whole Jordan family. Trouble begins when the wicked pony is sold, and the events that follow change the lives of Vickie and her family, and their beloved Pat. That pony has to be found.
Wild Horse Running
Dodd, Mead 1973
Reprinted 1976
Scholastic pb, 1975
Another story based on fact: there are wild horses in the Prior Mountains of Montana, and it is a struggle to keep them free. This is the story of the grey mustang Cloud, and his struggle to stay free. He is captured, and escapes, but then meets an unhappy boy who has come West. The boy gets to know Cloud, but then has a difficult decision to make.
Vicki and The Brown Mare
Dodd, Mead 1976
As The Brown Mare, Xerox, 1976
Vicki Jordan rides a mare with jumping ability but no training. She convinces the mare’s owner it’s a shame to leave her. Due to Vicki’s hard work, the mare becomes a top-rate jumper. Vicki rides Skylark to victory in the small local shows, but when they move into the big time the girl makes a disturbing discovery about herself and her horse. The situation is further complicated when the United States Equestrian Team shows an interest in Skylark.
A Horse to Remember
The Viking Press 1984
Puffin 1986
This is essentially There was a Horse.
Books illustrated by Sam Savitt
The American Girl Book of Horse Stories
Random House, 1949
Glenn Balch: Tiger Roan
Pocket Books, 1950
Jim Kjelgaard: Wildkife Cameraman
Holiday House, 1957
Henry V Larom: Mountain Pony and the Pinto Colt
Grossett & Dunlap, 1957
Glenn Balch: Wild Horse Tamer
Dodd, Mead, New York, 1958
Lola Shelton: Witch’s Colt
Dodd, Mead, New York, 1958
Western Writers of America: A Saddlebag of Tales
Books For Libraries Press, 1959
Albert Terhune: Lad a Dog
Dutton, 1959
Puffin, Harmondsworth, UK, 1993
Dent, London, 1965
Blanche Chenery Perrin: Born to Race
St Martin’s Press, 1959
Macmillan, 1961
Patsey Gray: Challenger
Coward McCann, New York, 1959Dent, 1960
Elyne Mitchell: The Silver Brumby
USA publication, 1959
Carl Carmer: Pets at the White House
Dutton, New York, 1959
Ferris Weedle: Blizzard Rescue
Franklin Watts, New York, 1959
Miriam Young: Up and Away
Harcourt, Brace & Company, New York, 1960
Ned Andrews: Cowdog
Scholastic, 1960
Elyne Mitchell: Snow Filly (Silver Brumby’s Daughter)
USA publication, 1960
Irmengarde Eberle: Johnny’s Island Ark
Franklin Watts, 1960
Albert G Miller: Fury and the Mustangs
Holt Rinehart, New York, 1960
Sports Illustrated Book of Horseback Riding
Lippincott, 1960
Hodder & Stoughton, London, 1961
Patsey Gray: Horse in her Heart
Coward McCann, New York, 1960
Patsey Gray: Diving Horse
Coward McCann, New York, 1960
Patsey Gray: Loco the Bronc
Coward McCann, 1961
Lace Kendall: Little Smoke
Coward-McCann 1961
Blanche Chenery Perrin: Thudding Hooves
St Martin’s Press, 1961
Macmillan, 1962
Doris McFerran Townsend: Dinny and Dreamdust
Doubleday, New York, 1962
Patsey Gray: The Horse Trap
Coward-McCann 1962
Alice Curtis Desmond: Teddy Koala
Dodd Mead, New York, 1962
Patsey Gray: Show Ring Rogue
Coward McCann, 1962
The Cavalry Manual of Horsemanship
J A Allen, 1962
Mary R Davidson: Buffalo Bill
Garden City Books, 1962
Suzanne Wilding: Dream Pony for Robin
St Martin;s Press, 1962
Anne Cottrell Free: Forever the Wild Mare
Dodd Mead, New York, 1963
William Corbin: Horse in the House
Coward McCann, New York, 1963
Methuen, 1966
Jane Whitbread Levin: The Care and Training of Dogs
Doubleday, 1963
Maureen Daly: Patrick Visits the Zoo
Dodd Mead, New York, 1963
The Boys’ Life Book of Horse Stories
Random House, New York, 1963
Jim Kjelgaard: Two Dogs and a Horse
Dodd Mead, New York, 1964
Elizabeth Harrover Johnson: The Old Quarry Fox Hunt
Ives Washburn 1964
Patsey Gray: Star Bright
Norton, New York, 1964
Patsey Gray: Star Lost
Norton 1965
Suzanne Wilding: Big Jump for Robin
St Martin’s Press, NY, 1965
Selma Hudnut: The Redhead and the Roan
Van Nostrand, 1965
Big Book of Favorite Horse Stories (Ed P C Braun, foreword Sam Savitt)
Platt & Munk, New York, 1965
Elizabeth Harrover Johnson: Christy Finds a Rider
Ives Washburn, New York, 1965
Ewart A Autry: Ghost Hound of Thunder Valley
Dodd Mead, New York, 1965
Patsey Gray: Jumping Jack
Norton, New York, 1965
Patsey Gray: Horse Power
Norton, New York, 1966
Jon Kjelgaard: Dave and his Dog, Mulligan
Dodd Mead, New York, 1966
Gordon Wright: Learning to Ride, Hunt and Show
Doubleday, New York, 1966
Patsey Gray: Lucky Star
Norton, New York, 1967
Patsey Gray: Star the Sea Horse
Norton, New York, 1968
Patsey Gray: Blue Ribbon Summer
Norton, New York, 1968
George Miller: The Golden Book of Horses
Golden Press, 1968
Golden Stamp Book of Horses
Golden Press, NY, 1968Purnell, 1963
Bruce Grant: Ride, Gaucho!
World Pub Co, 1969
Vian Smith: The Lord Mayor’s Show
Doubleday & Co. 1969
Suzanne Wilding: Harlequin Horse
Van Nostrand Reinhold 1969
Margaret Cabell Self: Sky Rocket, the Story of a Little Bay Horse
Dodd, Mead, New York, 1970
Bryan O’Donoghue: Wild Animal Rescue
Dodd Mead, New York, 1971
Kurt Unkelbach: How to Bring up Your Pet Dog
Dodd Mead, New York, 1972
Mary Davidson: Buffalo Bill
Franklin Watts, 1972
Harry Disston: Elementary Dressage
Arco Publishing Company, 1972
Suzanne Wilding: Ups and Downs
St Martin’s Press, New York, 1973
Jean Slaughter Doty: Summer Pony
Macmillan, NY, 1973
Blanche Chenery Perrin: Hundred Horse Farm
St Martin’s Press, 1973
John T Foster: The Gallant Gray Trotter
Dodd, Mead, New York, 1974
Sherman Kent: A Boy, and a Pig, but Mostly Horses
Dodd, Mead, New York, 1974
Herb Marlin: How to Take Care of Your Horse Until the Vet Comes
Dodd Mead, New York, 1975
Gordon Wright: The Riding Instructor’s Manual
Doubleday & Company, New York, 1975
Frederick L Devereux: Backyard Pony – Selecting and Owning a Horse
F Watts, New York, 1975
Horse Tales
(Ed Suzanne Wilding)
St Martin’s Press, New York, 1976
Walter Field: The Tale of the Horse
Lehr Book Venture, 1977
Robert Kraus: Springfellow
Dutton, 1978
Anne Colver: Pluto, Brave Lipizzaner Stallion
Garrard Pub Co, 1978
Anne Pence Davis: The Top Hand of Lone Tree Ranch
Thomas Y Crowell, 1978
Kurt Unkelbach: How to Teach an Old Dog New Tricks
Dodd Mead, New York, 1979
My Mane Catches the Wind – Poems about Horses
(Selected Lee Bennett)
Harcourt, Brace, Jovanovich, New York, 1979
Justin F Denzel: Hiboy, Young Devil Horse
Garrard Pub Co, 1980
Mrs Randolph William Hearst: Horses of San Simeon
San Simeon Press, 1985
Todd R Berger: Goldens Forever
Voyageur Press, 2001
Luther Dexter: About Horses
Flying Library – 25 page booklet
Other books written by Sam Savitt
Around the World with Horses
Dial, NY, 1962
Rodeo: Cowboys, Bulls and Broncos
Doubleday, New York, 1963
A Day at the LBJ Ranch
Random House, New York, 1965
America’s Horses
Doubleday, 1966
Equestrian Olympic Sketchbook
A S Barnes and Company, 1969, South Brunswick and New York
Thomas Yoseloff Ltd, London
True Horse Stories
Dodd, Mead, New York, 1970
Sam Savitt’s Book of Horse Nonsense
Black Horse Press, 1975
Dingle Ridge Fox and Other Stories
Dodd, Mead, New York, 1976
Draw Horses with Sam Savitt
Viking Press, New York, 1981
(How to Draw Horses, Pelham, London, 1981)
One Horse, One Hundred Miles, One Day – the Story of the Tevis Cup Endurance Ride
Dodd, Mead, New York, 1981
