May 27, 1926 PGC: EG Mr. Charley Russell, Great Falls, Mont. Dear Charley: Thanks very much for Nancy’s letter of May 20, and congratulations on your acquisition of the new Lincoln . We also have just gotten a new Lincoln. It sure is a great car. Regarding the price and size of the Sheep Picture, I am going to leave this entirely to you . It would not be fair to say that I would not give you more than a certain amount, nor do I think it would be wise to dictate the size . I am r ally anxious to get this picture, and will take it provided it comes up to all my expectations and the price is not unreasonable . The only suggestion I would make is, that if possible, you get some real action into it. All the pictures that we have of yours so far are more or less quiet subjects , and I think that in this case you might easily get some action by having the horse of the Cow Puncher or Punchers, who are driving the Sheep Herder away shying, or if possibly not too violent, to have some shooting in the picture. Nancy says in her letter that if it is too much of a risk to take, that I can cancel the suggestion and it will be O. K. with you . It is under- stood that I am under no obligation at all in connection with this picture. The risk, of course, will be entirely your own as always, if the picture or price does not appeal to me. I am only making the suggestion. The bronze “To Noses that Read and Smell that Spells Man” has not been shipped to me, at least I have never received it, and I hope that the[sic] order, due to a misunderstanding apparently upon the part of Mr. Furman, has been cancelled and that I do not receive it, because I am sure that I do not want it. If it does come, however, I will immediately return it to you at Great Falls, or if improperly packed, return it to the sender as you request . [next] -2- I am very glad that you are having the cast made of “Secrets of the Night”. I am quite sure that I will want that. As to the wall panel, that is something we need not consider at all, and I only mentioned it casually as being something I had in mind that I would like to have, but do not think that is worth going into. I had a nice note from O. C. Seltzer telling me that he is sending me some little things of his. The subjects sound good, but I am unable yet to judge the pictures since I have not seen them. He also tells me that he is planning to come to New York and asks advice about where to send some pictures which he evidently wishes to show here. I am writing him today that I will be glad, if it will be an accommodation to him, to have him send them ad- dressed to himself in care of me here at the factory. If he does this it will be, of course, at his own risk, though I feel that it may be of help to him if he is a stranger here in the City. While I do not know him, I have heard more or less of him through my good friend Dr. W . J. Butler, State Veterinarian, and am sorry to hear that he seems to have the hankering to paint foreign subjects. It seems to me that he is misdirecting his efforts since there are so many good painters of European subjects, an so very few of the Northwest. I am looking forward to your personal letter in the illustrated envelope. Mrs. Cole joins me in kind remembrances and best wishes as always to both of you. Yours as always, [signed] Philip G Cole [Transcribed by Melynda Seaton , 2011-10-31]