Reel Lawn Mower

Hand, Horse, and Motor by James B. Ricci

  • Book
    • Description
    • Page Samples
    • Reviews & News
  • History
    • The Reel Lawn Mower Collection Project
    • About the Reel Lawn Mower
    • Resources
  • Author
    • About James B. Ricci
    • Events
  • Ephemera
  • Contact
  • Coldwell Model J
    • Coldwell Model J

james-ricci-hand-horse-motor-book-reellawnmower
This well-researched resource book features roughly 200 individuals or corporations integrally involved in the development of the lawn mower industry in the United States over a period of eighty-eight years, from 1855 to 1942. Hand, Horse, and Motor offers anecdotes and information on lawn mower patents, trademarks, and accessory products, and it also looks at the cultural influences of the invention. 266 pages. 155 black-and-white photographs and ephemera.

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About James B. Ricci

jim-ricci-reel-lawn-mower Jim Ricci’s childhood fascination with the Locke Power Lawn Mower led him to collect vintage reel lawn mowers and chronicle the history of the lawn mower industry in his book, Hand, Horse, and Motor: The Development of the Lawn Mower Industry in the United States.

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Events

May , 2024
The Old Lawnmower Club Annual Rally at the Milton Keynes Museum. Members come from all over the UK (and some, like Jim, from farther afield) to join in the fun.

Jim recommends these small engine shows, at many of which he will display vintage reel mowers:

May , 2024
Bernardston Gas Engine and Tractor Show
Pratt Field, 257 South Street
Bernardston, Massachusetts

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Reviews & News

Review from Anthony Conroy

“A new chapter has been written on the evolution of the American Lawnmower. A truly amazing reference book which is totally unique, and from the country which pioneered the Automotive industry one could be forgiven for thinking there must be many publications on the subject on the History of Lawn Mowers in the USA, but […]

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30 North Farms Road
Haydenville MA 01039-9724 USA
(413) 268-7863

Contact Jim Ricci

Copyright © 2025 James B. Ricci. All rights reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without permission in writing. Website developed by Amber Ladley.

This website updates a site Jim began in 1997 to document The Reel Lawn Mower History & Preservation Project @ North Farms.