Found a 1997 Millers catalog today

Liza was on Himself, The Elf I think and the horse could have been Gem Twist.

Some more on Millers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/nyregion/joseph-miller-who-sold-horse-tack-to-the-well-heeled-dies-at-93.html

Joseph Miller, who built his father’s humble harness shop in Manhattan into one of the nation’s largest suppliers of fashionable saddlery, riding apparel and other equestrian equipment, died on June 12 at his home in Manhattan. He was 93.
Joseph Miller, left, outside Miller Harness around 1940.

Old Millers store photo. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/06/18/nyregion/MILLER-obit/MILLER-obit-popup.jpg

His death was confirmed by his son Daniel.
Mr. Miller was president and chief executive of the Miller Harness Company from the late 1940s until 1975, when it was sold to another company. By then, its logo — with the LL in Miller in the shape of high English riding boots — was known worldwide in equestrian circles.
It was in 1912 — when horse-drawn wagons and fancy carriages still plied the streets — that Mr. Miller’s father, Mayer, opened the shop at 123 East 24th Street. Mayer Gostkovsky, as he was known when he arrived in America, had been a master harness maker in Russia…

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I seem to recall many of the older turn outs were New Zealand rugs many of which weren’t waterproof or breathable !

While I hate to see any old retailer go (especially when it comes to tack) I have to say at the end I wasn’t a huge fan of Millers. They sent me a stable sheet w/ surcingles to fit a daschund - when I returned it they stated I wouldn’t get a refund because it had some dirt on it. The belly straps were about 7" long! They refused to give me a refund despite the fact that their product was defective and wouldn’t fit a thing. Last time I ordered from them.

[QUOTE=Melzy;6264752]
Liza was on Himself, The Elf I think and the horse could have been Gem Twist.[/QUOTE]

Thanks- that was it exactly! Himself the Elf & Gem Twist. Greg Best wasn’t the rider though, I think it was Laura Chapot.

Would love to look through these catalogs once again. Are they online by any chance?

Somehow my horses former owner managed to keep a NZ rug alive and when I bought him he wore that things 24/7 through the winter. Our first spring together he shed out and lost all his hair from a fungus caused by it!

I used to shop at Broken Horn back in the 80’s in 90’s in Southern California. Ah how I miss the days of jeans/chaps and 110 degree summer days in the Mojave Desert…

[QUOTE=pds;6265006]
Some more on Millers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/19/nyregion/joseph-miller-who-sold-horse-tack-to-the-well-heeled-dies-at-93.html

Joseph Miller, who built his father’s humble harness shop in Manhattan into one of the nation’s largest suppliers of fashionable saddlery, riding apparel and other equestrian equipment, died on June 12 at his home in Manhattan. He was 93.
Joseph Miller, left, outside Miller Harness around 1940.

Old Millers store photo. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2011/06/18/nyregion/MILLER-obit/MILLER-obit-popup.jpg

His death was confirmed by his son Daniel.
Mr. Miller was president and chief executive of the Miller Harness Company from the late 1940s until 1975, when it was sold to another company. By then, its logo — with the LL in Miller in the shape of high English riding boots — was known worldwide in equestrian circles.
It was in 1912 — when horse-drawn wagons and fancy carriages still plied the streets — that Mr. Miller’s father, Mayer, opened the shop at 123 East 24th Street. Mayer Gostkovsky, as he was known when he arrived in America, had been a master harness maker in Russia…[/QUOTE]

Thank you for this wonderful piece of history on what was the best tack shop in the country! THE place to go.

[QUOTE=gottagrey;6265438]
While I hate to see any old retailer go (especially when it comes to tack) I have to say at the end I wasn’t a huge fan of Millers. …They refused to give me a refund despite the fact that their product was defective and wouldn’t fit a thing. Last time I ordered from them.[/QUOTE]

I’m going to take a wild guess here that this was after Miller’s (and the name) was sold. It definitely did not continue as the store we all (us OLD folk) grew up with. Probably not in product (as you experienced) and DEFINITELY not in customer service. Even in-store…

Jeans/chaps…I totally forgot I used to have 2 pairs…thank God for suppressed memory :confused:

Wow – someone recently listed a 1975 catalog with a starting bid of only $5. Well worth that much for the Sam Savitt cover alone, if you ask me!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1975-MILLERS-HORSE-RIDING-CLOTHES-HARNESS-CATALOG-SHOW-HUNT-APPAREL-/310841881472?nma=true&si=FwOtniMSzvwUYU0dtZ6cp3rgl1U%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Maybe the seller will relist again. I wouldn’t mind adding it to my collection.

That’s all I rode in was jeans and chaps! Don’t see that at all nowadays.

Anybody remember Kaufmanns & Sons. Going in to that tack store was like a time warp!

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Gosh. When I think about old catalogues, I think of Montgomery Ward. Or Sears Roebuck. I have a hard time thinking of a 1997 catalogue as old.

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[QUOTE=BAC;6257984]
I have an old one packed away some place too, I saved it because a friend’s Jack Russell is modeling in it next to a pair of paddock boots. I think mine is from around 2000 or 2002.[/QUOTE]

Was the dog holding a hose? I think that was an ad for Grand Prix Aquator paddock boots.

[QUOTE=mvp;7389641]
Was the dog holding a hose? I think that was an ad for Grand Prix Aquator paddock boots.[/QUOTE]

I’m not sure, I remember one photo he was sitting right next to a pair of waterproof paddock boots, its possible he had a hose in his mouth. I believe he was in 2 or 3 pictures in the catalog, and my friend has one of them framed on the wall at home. I will have to ask him, or dig around in my basement and find the catalog, its sitting in one of those plastic bins where I save all the stuff I can’t bear to throw away. :smiley:

Those catalogs were awesome. I LOVED the kid/pony catalog Miller’s put out when my girls we very young (early-mid 90’s)!!
When we went to NYC in 2000 we had to go to the store and buy ‘souvenirs’ :wink:

I have the early 70’s Miller’s, Eisers, and Libertyville catalogs. In fact on FB, I saw a throwback Thursday picture from a 1971 Millers catalog featuring horse clothing. It was called Cross Creek Tack South. I will try and post a link.

I just found a Miller’s catalog from 1987! Page 4 has some gorgeous Euro-star breeches that are double-pleated with a slight flare extending to the knee. Very classy! Wish they’d bring that that style as an option.

Did anyone else have the Miller’s hi-top riding sneakers?

I did!

I’d love to find some if they popped up on eBay! I have a lot of Miller’s tack and apparel and have always loved it. I wish they were still around!