John Hamlin (1880-1951)

American author of whom I know very little. He wrote some westerns and an unusual historical pony story which also chronicles the development of the merry-go-round in America. All his books seem quite rare and hard to find.

Horse & Pony Books:

FLYING HORSES:  A STORY OF THE MERRY GO-ROUND
(LIPPINCOTT [USA] 1942)
(1st UK edition HUTCHINSON 1946)
ILLUSTRATED BY CHARLES HARGENS
SUMMARY: Unusual historical pony story. Lonely orphan Danny is cruelly treated by the farmer for whom he works. He seeks solace in the friendship of a pony he is given by some gypsies but when the farmer finds out he has been keeping a pony in secret he is furious. The frightened boy escapes with a traveller who has been passing through the area. This man is one of the pioneers of the merry-go-round and is hoping to build his own carousel and go touring through the country with it. When he finds out Danny is both a talented carver and a horse enthusiast he employs him to carve the wooden horses for the carousel and the pair set off together. But there are still troubles a-plenty including the puritans who are against the merry-go-round from the start.
PONYMAD RATING: 3 HORSESHOES

Collector's Info:
Quite a hard title to find, especially outside the USA.