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The Charles M. Russell Research Collection (Britzman)

Scope and Content Notes

Institution: The collection is housed and managed through the Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum and the University of Tulsa. Language of Material: English Description: approximately 13,000 items Period covered: 1902 - 1938 Subject matter: The Charles M. Russell Research Collection (Britzman), also known as the Britzman Collection, is an extensive collection of approximately 13,000 items. Much of the Russell Research Collection (Britzman) relates directly to Russell's artwork held by the Gilcrease Museum. The collection includes original pencil, pen and ink drawings and sketches, an unfinished watercolor and several clay/wax models. It also contains small sketchbooks, illustrated letters and envelopes from Russell to friends, Russell's Last Will and Testament written in his own hand as well as his paints, brushes and palettes. Clothing items in the collection include ties, boots, hats and a revolver with a scrimshaw handle (presumably Russell was the artist). There are more than a thousand documents of correspondence to and from Russell (some signed by celebrities or Western luminaries) business documents to and from his wife, Nancy, prose and poetry by and about Russell including 60 pages in Russell's hand, numerous boxes of newspaper clippings, printed ephemera related to Russell, hand molded sculptures, western dress and Indian artifacts and thousands of photographs and negatives of Russell, his family, studio, artwork, homes, celebrities and outings. Background: Staff, interns, and volunteers of the Thomas Gilcrease Library and Archive have contributed to the organization and maintenance of the files. The Charles M. Russell Research Collection (Britzman) was acquired in 2009 and is housed and managed through the Helmerich Center for American Research at Gilcrease Museum and The University of Tulsa. Extent: 42 Linear feet Restrictions: Please contact the Rights and Reproduction Department for information on publishing or reproducing materials included in these records. Permission will be granted by the Gilcrease Museum and does not imply permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all necessary permissions from the copyright holder. http://gilcrease.utulsa.edu/Visit/During-Your-Visit/Policies/Reproductio... Availability: This collection is open for use by appointment only at the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR). Contact the Library at 918-631-6441 or renee-harvey@utulsa.edu in advance to inquire about the collection and schedule an appointment.

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Title(s): 
The Charles M. Russell Research Collection (Britzman)
Creator(s): 
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center (Subject)
Amon Carter Museum of Western Art (Subject)
Culture: 
American
Date: 
1902 - 1938
Classification: 
Object Type: 
Accession No: 
TU2009.39
Previous Number(s): 
77050
Department: 
Not On View

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