Splendid Hartland Books
Since 1983
"The Best Source of Hartland Information™"
(According to a Former owner of Hartland)
This year, 2012, is the 29th anniversary of the publication of the earliest Hartland books. I am the only published author on Hartland, and have been creating books longer than any one Hartland company has made horses. (The detailed story of four Hartland companies since the 1940s is told in Hartland Horses and Dogs.) It's been a big part of "what I do" for about half of my life. People say I'm dedicated.
Since July 2000, I've also been writing about Hartland online, but what's here and what's in the books are two entirely different things! This web site serves as an introduction to the books!
Latest Updates: February 11 and April 30, 2012
Hartland Horses and Dogs (above, left) covers the model horses
and dogs from the early 1950s through 2000. It also includes the detailed story of the Hartland companies.
Hartland Horsemen (above, right) covers the horse-and-rider sets and rider-series horses from the late 1940s through 1999.
I'm now accepting advance orders for Hartland Horses: New Model Horses Since 2000.
This book picks up the Hartland story where the two books in the top row leave off. It covers all the new model horses and horse-and-rider sets issued from 2000 to present.
See the News section (and the Publications section) for more information.
Order the book at the Catalog page (to use PayPal) or the Order Form page (to send a personal check or a money order). The mailing address is:
Gail Fitch
1733 N. Cambridge Ave., #109
Milwaukee, WI 53202
What I Do, and What's Here:
- BOOKS
The two Hartland books from Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., released in 1999 and 2000 include history, description, identification, values, interviews with 1940s-1950s and later Hartland owners and executives (whom I located from scratch), company archive photos, and over 1,000 large and gorgeous color photos of the models. The third book from Schiffer is on the models made since 2000.
The books are factual works of serious historical research, yet easy and fun to read, poetic and heartfelt. I'm a professional researcher and writer, and my interest in Hartland models grew out of my love of horses and model horses of all brands. I also enjoyed the TV shows that inspired the Hartland rider sets.
The prices are:
$30 by PayPal (see Catalog page) or $28.50 by personal check or money order (print out the Order Form page). These prices include shipping.
Two books shipped together are $58 by PayPal or $55 by check or money order.
Book #1: Hartland Horsemen
Horse-and-rider and western sets in the likeness of TV stars and historical heroes are the subject of this book. It includes Paola Groeber test colors of horses from rider-series molds.
Book #2: Hartland Horses & Dogs
The beautiful book covers the breed series horses and model dogs. It also includes the very detailed story of all Hartland companies, products, and personnel to 2000, based on research I began in 1980. It's a great story, and it's true.
Book #3: Hartland Horses: New Model Horses Since 2000
This book features the lovely breed-series horses and re-released Roy Rogers and Dale Evans horse-and-rider sets -- all made in 2000 or later. All regular-run, special run, and gift-run (contest) models are shown, plus many unique, test models!
- MAGAZINE
I publish Model Equestrian, begun in 2000, for news and "fun" of collecting.
- WEB SITE CONTENTS
Collecting News -- some is online, but most is in print publications!
Models for Sale -- by others (and my doubles)
- COMMISSION SALES
I am an author, not a "sales person," but because of my contacts, reputation, and extensive knowledge of Hartland models, over the years I have done a few sales on commission for Hartland owners. The models I've sold have mostly been mint-in-box, 1950s-1960s rider sets, Lady Jewel and Jade horses, and other high-end or hard-to-find Hartland models. Click "Models for Sale."
- On eBay, I sell my Hartland books (and occasionally, Hartland and other horse models):
My eBay I.D. is hartland_guru.
Due to a death in my friend's family, we have hundreds of Hummels for sale.
- JOIN MY LIST
I send announcements of new publications or models for sale (on commission or mine) a few times per year.
To join, email gfitch@tds.net
- ADVICE
I can give referrals on many matters related to Hartland.
This web site's 11 th birthday was in July 2011.
My Hartland books (first editions) are 29 years old!
A Summary of Hartland
Six different companies have made Hartland horses over a period of seven decades. The original company, Hartland Plastics, Inc., of Hartland, Wisconsin, was noteworthy for its award-winning sculptors and its innovative mold-making process. In the late 1940s, Hartland made the first model horses: clock horses whose design was copied by Breyer.
In the 1950s, Hartland began dozens of horse-and-rider sets in the likeness of TV western heroes, and in the 1960s, it began making horse families and individual horses of numerous breeds. Later companies have issued some of the horse models in additional colors, but few of the rider sets.
For 28 years, books by Gail Fitch have documented Hartland horses, horse-and-rider sets, and Hartland company history. The latest books, from Schiffer Publishing, are (1) Hartland Horses and Dogs, which includes the story of Hartland, and (2) Hartland Horsemen.
The February 2012 issue of MODEL EQUESTRIAN: Horse Collecting & Hartland News, Issue 16, is 28 pages!
It is $7 + $2 shipping = $9.
Mail a check payable to:
Gail Fitch
1733 N. Cambridge Ave., #109
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Or use
PayPal: gfitch@tds.net
Models for sale:
Check eBay auctions by hartland_guru for:
Hartland books and, occasionally, my doubles on Hartland horses and/or things I'm selling on commision for others.
This page last updated: May 1, 2012
