Throughout its history, pigeon sport has known many champions. Some of these champions even became famous; their names known world wide. But only a few ever reached a legendary status, such as Janssen Arendonk, Stichelbaut, Huyskens-Van Riel and of course Karel Meulemans. The simple farmer of Arendonk who successfully raced the Van den Bosch birds in the mid-fifties already reached that status relatively early in his career when he teamed up with Adriaan Wouters in 1969. The result of their cooperation, the Golden Pair 'Oude Van den Bosch x Blue Janssen' was a breeding pair the likes of which the sport had never seen before and has not since. Not just a few, but dozens of champion racers and breeders originated from this exceptional couple: 'Merckx', 'Kadet', 'Junior', 'Witneus', 'Schoon Donker', 'Liebling', 'Prins', 'Madelon', 'Benjamin', ..., the list goes on and on. The number of famous champion fanciers whose basic stock traces back to the Meulemans pigeons is equally impressive: Willy Van Berendonck, Stan Van Beemen, William Geerts, Gommaire Verbruggen, Frans Moris, Raymund Hermes, Albert Babington, ..., again too many to list.

'Karel Meulemans, the complete story of a pigeon sport legend', written by Frank Daelemans, is the first book telling the complete story of Karel Meulemans and his bloodline. Follow the history from the start in 1946 to the Belgian National Long Distance Championship in 1999. Read about the ups and the downs; the early successes in the fifties, the golden Wouters-Meulemans years, the continuation of the exceptional performances with the Mariën-Meulemans team in the seventies, the dark years of the early eighties and the revival of the nineties. Marvel at legendary auctions, famous pigeons being stolen and the outstanding performances of famous champions with the Meulemans birds. Add to this a special chapter in which the Master himself talks open-heartedly about his breeding and racing methods and you'll understand this book is an indispensable addition to the genuine pigeon fancier's library.

Still in doubt? Would you really like to know if this book is for you? We'll give you a hand to make an informed decision. Send us an e-mail at frankdaelemans@skynet.be and we'll e-mail you a complete chapter of the book. This way you can have a look inside and judge for yourself. No risk, no strings attached. Below is already a teaser (from another chapter) for you to read and an overview of the contents of the book. Of course, those of you who want to order the book right away can do so simply by sending an e-mail to frankdaelemans@skynet.be as well, or by contacting us by letter, phone or fax (see our contact info at the bottom of this page or click here or click "Contact us" in the menu at left). The book itself costs 30 EURO shipped airmail worldwide, or 25 EURO shipped surface mail worldwide. US customers can also contact www.jedds.com. <Dutch version> Voor de Nederlandstalige editie, die een extra hoofdstuk bevat, kunt u de uitgever contacteren op www.maklu.be (e-mail info@maklu.be), ofwel het sportblad 'De Duif' op www.deduif.be (e-mail deduif@deduif.be), ofwel Belga-Vet Seiffert BVBA op www.belgavet.com (e-mail info@belgavet.com).

Some technical information: 'Karel Meulemans, the complete story of a pigeon sport legend', ISBN 90-806079-1-6 counts 288 pages and contains 60 black&white pictures and 10 diagrams. Its format is 15 x 22 cm.
And now: the look inside (table of contents and teaser):

Table of contents:

Acknowledgments
Introduction

PART I: The long and winding road to the top

Chapter 1: Doghouses and tram wagons
Chapter 2: The relationship between the Van den Bosch, Huyskens-Van Riel and the Meulemans pigeons
Intermezzo 1: Huyskens-Van Riel
Chapter 3: Adriaan Wouters
Chapter 4: Origins, breeding tactics & loft lists
Intermezzo 2: Gust Hofkens of Merksplas
Chapter 5: Frans Mariën
Chapter 6: The dark years
Chapter 7: National Long Distance Champion

PART II: The Master's Methods

Chapter 8: Karel Meulemans talks about breeding
Chapter 9: Karel Meulemans talks about racing

PART III: The basic bloodline

Chapter 10: Albert Babington
Chapter 11: Hans Eijerkamp and Sons
Chapter 12: William Geerts of Schilde
Chapter 13: Rising Sun: The Iida Group of Japan
Chapter 14: South African Adventures
Chapter 15: Stan Van Beemen
Chapter 16: Willy Van Berendonck
Chapter 17: Van Elsacker-Jepsen of Schilde
Chapter 18: Gommaire Verbruggen
Chapter 19: The final chapter

Excerpt from Chapter 5:

(...) Frans Mariën therefore was well aware of the capabilities of Karel Meulemans and now that Adriaan Wouters was gone proposing a cooperation with his late father-in-law's partner seemed the natural thing to do. Karel, still too preoccupied with his farm to race on his own, agreed once again. With Frans Mariën's colony combined with the pigeons Karel had managed to retain from the semi-total auction, the Mariën-Meulemans colony appeared on stage in the 1976 season.

Immediately the competition became aware that the Meulemans pigeons were here to stay. A small example: at the Fair of Retie, a nearby village, 2 racing bicycles were put up as prizes in the Noyon race: one for the old birds and one for the yearlings. Despite the fact that their pigeons had been racing half-long distance that season, Frans Mariën decided to return to the Noyon sprint. Many fanciers considered this an erratic move, but nevertheless Mariën-Meulemans went home with both bicycles!

The success nothwithstanding, this kind of decision on how to race the pigeons, already revealed a big difference in philosophy between both partners. Karel, always the careful fancier, reluctantly saw Frans Mariën treating his meticulously bred material as cannon fodder. Frans Mariën on the other hand had no patience whatsoever. Youngsters that even on their first training sessions were unlucky enough to stay away for two days immediately were culled upon return to the loft. Lots of people told Mariën: "Man, slow down. What would you do if you didn't have the breeding loft of Karel Meulemans?". But Frans did not slow down. He only kept 12 widowhood cocks on his loft and mainly raced the yearlings. Starting out with about 35 early and 20 late youngsters, losing 2/3 of them, like in 1979, was no exception. Karel Meulemans still shakes his head when he thinks about those years between 1976 and 1980. "For Frans having new good pigeons on his loft was a given fact. He thought: I can fly them as hard as I want to; Karel will certainly breed new ones. Replenishing Frans Mariën's lofts with good pigeons was an almost impossible task."

The fact that Karel Meulemans did replenish the Mariën racing loft with good birds time after time once again shows his qualities as a master breeder. In retrospect Karel probably became such a master breeder because for him it was the only way for self-expression. Like an artist painting a canvas Karel Meulemans paired up his birds to produce a piece of art, the supreme champion pigeon. It was a form of escape from daily life. There Karel had to shut up and listen. His father was (...)

That's all for now. Do you want to read an entire chapter or order the book right away? Click here for more information.

Copyright notice: Please note that the above excerpt falls under the author's copyright. No part if it may be reproduced, transmitted or translated in any language, in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the prior permission in writing or a license from the publisher Frank Daelemans (contact information click here or see below).