80838_EQ Almanac WEB-080918

100
COMFORTABLE CLASSICS
ANGELS ON HORSEBACK BY NORMAN THELWELL
By Pam Maley and Jackie McFarland
First published in Punch (a British weekly magazine of humor and satire) over
seventy years ago, Norman Thelwell’s (1923-2004) cartoons and drawings
spanned many subjects, but he became most famous for his more than 25 books
on Pony Club girls and their ponies. His comic genius is timeless.
Bridging generations, the delightful cartoon books that have brought
chuckles to horse lovers, young and old, for decades are experiencing an
American revival. The Thelwell estate recently authorized an agent in the
U.S. to publish the books, and to distribute Thelwell products, such as
belts and boot socks. I was among the first to put in an advance order
for the books. Since receiving them, I have laughed again at the bright
humor and the pencil drawings of freckled girls being bounced along
on their recalcitrant spherical ponies. Ponies of a certain shape and
temper became known as ‘Thelwells.’”
(The Telegraph, February 21, 2004).
Images © The Estate of Norman Thelwell and reproduced by permission of Karen Addison Associates, agent for the estate