Bergin Aimee (1 results)

Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Quarto measuring 10" x 12". Spiral-bound album. Contains 16 black and white gelatin silver photographs measuring between 3" x 5" and 8" x 10" without captions. Very good album with some edgewear with near fine photographs. A photo album compiled by camel jockey Aimee Bergin in California and Nevada in 1976. The album begins with newspaper clippings describing a recent win for Aimee, who was only 18 at the time, saying, "camel and ostrich racing separates the girls from the women." Aimee discusses the animals in the article saying, "camels' dispositions are very unpredictable They can be very nasty or very sweet and gentle. They have a tendency to kick and bite you." Following this are a number of 8" x 10" images of riders, many of which are of Aimee, handling and riding camels. These riders were members of the "International Order of Camel Jockeys" and many are pictured in t-shirts with the organization's logo. Patches for the organization are also included in the album. Other photos show the surrounding desert area and town, the spectators, and people playing music between races. A photo towards the end of the album shows Aimee being sprayed with a can of beer by her husband, presumably in a celebratory way. Aimee is also seen in a photo posed with a fan. One article notes that along with camels she also races ostriches and wrestles Bengal tigers. A wonderful album detailing a young woman's unusual athletic pursuits in the 1970s.