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The Thrill

of the Hunt

Collectibles from the Era of Fox Hunting
Collectibles from the Era of Fox Hunting
Collectibles from the Era of Fox Hunting
by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor
by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor
by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor
ho does not prick up their ears with the sound of the hunting falling out. After judging the shape, size, and quality of the
horn, signaling everyone to stand ready and be prepared to fumes, the game would be established.
Wrace your way to the goal of getting the fox or the boar, the Early horns were created from horns and bone,
hare or the stag? This fast-paced endeavor with the dogs barking as eventually being made from copper and white
they lead the hunt gets the blood pumping, as do the many collectibles metal improving the sound, the one note
related to this era. that blared across the acres. At one
Man, horse, and hound made a formidable team when participating point the lack of musical
in a fox hunt. Starting in the 15th century, the trained hounds were used quality caused one
not only to hunt the fox, but the animals that brought food to the table hunter, Colonel
and the celebration of a successful event. This was the stuff of kings and Anstruther-
queens, as well as the skilled huntsman bringing meat to the market. Thompson,
The modern style of fox hunting as a skill and pasttime for the upper to complain An early decorated hunting horn
classes truly began in the 19th century when Hugo Meynell joined in that too made by Friedrich Purrer
the hunt and established rules and soon-to-be traditions as part of this many huntsmen and Masters “blow the same monotonous note on the
“game.” Meynell is considered the “father of the modern English Horn all day long without variation or meaning.” There were, however,
chase,” bringing structure to everything from the kit or clothing to the many different trills, quavers, and note lengths that sent out different
horse equipment or tack and the posture and riding style of the rider. meanings to riders and to the hounds to aid in the direction of the hunt.
Many people enjoy collecting all elements of the sport – from fine The original hunting horn was curved and could only sound a single
art to tack and equestrian accessories all related to it. note. With the introduction of metal horns, the straight horn became
the vogue around the end of the seventeenth century.
In 1830, at the tender age of 25, John Augustus Köhler proved to
be a musical innovator, setting up his own shop in Covent Garden. He
gained manufacturing rights to newly patented valves and improved
the horns, then producing high quality brass wind instruments for
orchestras and the military able to make those rich tones that call to the
dogs and riders. His son, Augustus Charles Köhler, joined the business
in 1862, after which father and son produced instruments inscribed
Köhler & Son, the name by which the firm was known thereafter. In
1879, Augustus Charles anonymous-
ly published a precursor to the book-
let described here, titled The Coach
Horn: What to Blow, How to Blow It.
He died the following year, well-
recognized as a pre-eminent authority
on the correct horn etiquette thanks
Image of a hunter pouring fumes out of his horn
to his musical products.
Today, hunting horns are still
The Hunting Horn used for the occasional hunt or for
Even back in the 15th century the hunting horn was used to scenes in period films and television
communicate the progress of the hunt. Early on, hunters and game series, but most likely you will find
one decorated and hung in pride of
guides were sent out ahead of the event to scout and track the game to place over a fireplace in the main hall,
be caught. They would return to the group of participants to meet with aka your living room. Its many shapes
the Master of the Hunt and describe their findings and present “fumes” and lengths (some are up to 12 feet
or the “evidence” left behind by the animal. The fumes were picked up long) make it able to be shown just
at the site and stuffed into their horns with grass to keep the fumes from

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