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,