American author. Pseudonym of Lois Eby. She grew up on a Californian ranch and loved horses and nature from an early age. Arabians were a special love of hers which was fostered by an early introduction to the breed by neighbours who owned them. Her fondness for nature began on camping trips to the various American national parks. Both these loves were to feature in her books. She wrote four horse stories, two of which were based around Yosemite National Park and the Grand Canyon, and a book of short stories about horses and dogs. These books were all written under the Patrick Lawson pseudonym, however occaisionally may be listed under the author's real name on internet book-shops.
As well as being an author Ms. Eby also worked in the film world, most notably (to horse enthusiasts) on The Lone Ranger.
Sadly I do not have many pictures of the author's books so if anyone could help out by sending me any I would be very grateful.
Star-Crossed Stallion Series:
1) STAR-CROSSED STALLION (DODD MEAD [USA] 1954) A version of the story was published in Boy's Life magazine in 1954. It was called HARD LUCK STALLION and was illustrated by Sam Savitt (see below for more info) SUMMARY: Roger meets the 'bad luck' Arabian stallion Ajaz who has been shipped over from Arabia, and feels an affinity with the troubled horse, as he too has lived there.
2) THE STAR-CROSSED STALLION'S BIG CHANCE (DODD MEAD [USA] 1957) ILLUSTRATED BY ALGOT STENBERY SUMMARY: Ajaz must prove himself before he can be useful as a stud stallion. But he does not prove easy to school. So he and Roger go off to learn dressage.
Collector's Info: Although not particularly common titles, the books can be found without a great amount of trouble in the USA. Copies with jackets may sometimes be expensive however. Hard to find outside of America.
Patty Lynn Series:
1) PATTY LYNN: DAUGHTER OF THE RANGERS (DODD MEAD [USA] 1959) ILLUSTRATED BY BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS
2) PATTY LYNN AT THE GRAND CANYON (DODD MEAD [USA] 1960) ILLUSTRATED BY BLACK AND WHITE PHOTOS
Collector's Info: Reasonably easy to find in the USA, a lot harder elsewhere.
Short Story Collections:
MORE THAN COURAGE (WHITMAN [USA] 1960) ILLUSTRATED BY EARL SHERWAN SUMMARY: Collection of horse and dog stories based on real life animals.
Collector's Info: Easy to find in the USA, in fact the most common of all the author's horse-related titles. Although not easy to find elsewhere it can be bought cheaply from America.
Short Stories in other Books and Collections:
HARD LUCK STALLION in BOY'S LIFE MAGAZINE JUNE 1954 ILLUSTRATED BY SAM SAVITT SUMMARY: A shorter version of the story of how Roger and the Arabian stallion Ajaz meet in Star-Crossed Stallion. It was serialised in 4 parts in Boy's Life Magazine.
Collector's Info: I don't know enough about collecting American boys' magazines to make any comment on the rarity or value of the magazine. However the story can be read for free via google books.
