JOHN T. MARVIN, c. 1955

The John T. Marvin photography collection (1800-1985; bulk: 1910-1965) chronicles many great events, figures, dogs, and depictions in art & print of the sport over the course of its history. Subjects range from 19th century field paintings; to men gathered around an early American dog show circa 1890; to a 1940 parade of local dogs at the Dayton Kennel Club Dog Show; to a shot of the Bedlington town sign, which has become the quintessential image for the birth of the terrier breed; to the famous image of champion Pekingnese Chik T'Sun of Caversham surrounded by the press at the 1960 Westminster Kennel Club dog show. The collection contains portraits, win shots, publicity shots, candids, and snapshots from a wide variety of shows and other events in America and Europe.

The collection, drawn from the AKC Gazette files and Marvin's own personal research investigations, is a rich resource for images of important people in dogdom throughout the course of the 20th century, including early fanciers (Winthrop Rutherford, Percy Jones); judges (Freeman Lloyd, Dr. Samuel Milbank); breeders (Alene Stern Erlanger, Tom Gateley, Percy Roberts); AKC representatives (William A. Rockefeller, August Belmont); publishers & writers (Will Judy); handlers (Harry Sangster); field enthusiasts (G.H. Thomas); show superintendants (George Foley); and photographers (William Brown, Rudolf Tauskey); as well as outside celebrities (Jack Dempsey, Harry Truman).

It also significantly documents junior handling various awards shows (Fido, Dog Writers Association, Ken L-Ration) and is particularly strong in the Terrier, Sporting, and Herding groups, including mid-century materials for Sealyham Terriers and Shetland Sheepdogs. Images of various dog publications and artwork -- much of it held by the AKC Library & Archives -- and a small selection of clippings, including a Swedish periodical The Bedlington, are also present.