[1] La Jolla, California, March 9th, 1927. Mrs. Charles M. Russell, 701 Michigan Boulevard, Pasadena, California. Dear Nancy: On glancing over my previous letters to you, I realize that there easily might be confusion as to just where we stand on paper, though it is all clear in the understanding between us. I am therefore, as suggested, going to put down a summary of our under- standing to date, revising my two previous letters to you. The bronzes which I have bought from you, and which I understand from my Secretary in Brooklyn have been received in good condition, are: Enemy That Warns $275.00 Piegan Squaw 115.00 Piegan Buck 350.00 War Dancers 500.00 Buffalo Runner 1000.00 2240.00 The bronze of “Jim Bridger” is a separate order to be filled later, and “Secrets of the Night” is to be sent me from the casting house in New York. Therefore I am not figuring these in on the present statement; I will pay for them as soon as they arrive, in good condition. The little “Indian Dancer” which you sent me is an even trade for the poor casting which I have of the same thing. The paintings which I have bought from you, and which I have been notified have been received in good condition at Brooklyn, are: Oil, “A Bad One” $15,000.00 Oil, “Where Tracks Spell Meat Or War” 3,000.00 $18,000.00 The total cost then of the things received to date in good condition at Brooklyn amounts to $20, 240.00. I sent you my check No. 23271 on the Lawyers Title Company of New York for $4,740.00, leaving a balance now due you of $15,500.00. My check No. 1087 on the Lawyers Title Company, dated March 2nd, for $15,500.00 is enclosed herewith, thus evening things up to date. “Father de Smidth’s First Meeting With the Flathead Indians” at $30,000.00, with a deduction of $6,500.00 allowance for the paintings, to be turned in for this amount, as listed in my letter of February 17th, you are going to send on as soon as possible for my inspection. I am to have thirty days’ trial of it in my house; there is no obliga- tion whatsoever on my part to buy this picture if, in my own opinion, [2] this picture does not seem to properly belong there. In such an event, the deal for that picture is off, without obligation on my part, either written or implied. On my visit with you last week, I bought from you the following pictures, which you had better box up and send on to my Brooklyn address at once: Water color “A Doubtful Handshake” $2500.00 “ “ “Texas Trail Boss” 1000.00 “ “ “Wet Horses” 1200.00 “ “ “When Sioux and Blackfeet Meet” 1800.00 Oil “Buffalo Coat” 1200.00 $7700.00 All of which you agree to sell me for lump sum of $7000.00. The little water color sketch “The Story Teller”, which you are giving me as a present, I have tried to express my thanks for. As you know, I accept it with the most sincere appreciation – for I love it. The twenty-seven oil portraits by Sharp arrived yesterday, and I am more in love with them than ever. We must look them over again the next time you come down to La Jolla. In Santa Barbara we promptly ran onto Ed Borein, and I got his entire collection of etchings of the Northwest. He is a wonderful man, as you know, and, as you also know, his etchings are marvelous and will also add greatly to the collection. I am sending him a copy of my book. We spent most of the day with him, talking about Charlie. He and Charlie must have been wonderful friends, and it must have been a treat for you when the two of them were together. Under separate cover I am mailing back to you the photographs of Mrs. Leighton’s Indian portraits, in which I am not interested. In order that I may keep my own records straight, will you be kind enough to endorse as approved and return to me the duplicate copy of this letter, which I am enclosing herewith. I would prefer that you do this, rather than waiting until I see you in La Jolla. Katharine, as usual, joins me in every good wish, and looking forward to seeing you, Sincerely your friend, [singed] Philip G. Cole. PGC:R [Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-08-06]