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
Home / History / The Reel Lawn Mower Collection Project

The Reel Lawn Mower Collection Project

Hand, Horse, and Motor: The Development of the Lawn Mower Industry in the United States grew out of Jim Ricci’s The Reel Lawn Mower History & Preservation Project @ North Farms, which began in 1997 with a scope that included:

  • Gathering and preserving vintage lawn mowers, of particular importance to Jim as many of the early motor mowers were increasingly being stripped of their engines for resale, and the mower remains were being scrapped.
  • Chronicling materials and manufacturing techniques, taking the embellishments of the castings and often intricate paint schemes into consideration.
  • Documenting former and current manufacturers.
  • Providing a contact person for lawn mower company personnel and their families; sharing information through presentations and publications; and acting as a repository for assorted materials, such as catalogues, ephemera, and photographs.

Hand, Horse, and Motor brings these project components to life in a unique and meaningful way.

Currently, Jim has over 250 mowers, representing thirty manufacturers, in his collection.

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.

Read more about Jim »

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

See all events »

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.