April 26, 1927. Dr. Philip G. Cole, C/O A. Schraders[sic] Son Inc., 470 Vanderbilt Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y. Dear Philip: I thank you for your letter of April 14th with the two checks enclosed, one for $7000.00 payment in full for the five pictures last purchased; one for $1000.00, payment for the two bronze pictures delivered to the Bronze people. The copy of THE SCALP DANCER you returned is not good and I am glad that you have a better one. I too think JIM BRIGER[sic] a real inspiration and one of the best things Charlie did. It is too bad he did not see it in bronze. As you requested, I am enclosing separate bills for the work of Charlie’s you purchased this year. I know we will be happy with the little shrine you are building in your home for the housing of some of the best work Charlie ever did. You now have by far the best and largest collection of his work owned by any one person; you have a more representa- tive collection than I have myself, and I am glad because you and Katherine loved Charlie and the history he has recorded and Chas. liked you. enclosed please find note to Mr. Juley. You can get the copies of the photographs you want. All of Charlie’s work is copyrighted in his name as originator to protect him, as well as the fellow who has the original; in that way, no one can even use a photograph for any purpose without permission [next] page 2. and a release of the copyright from me. I will not let any one[sic] use a reproduction of any of your paint- ings without first asking for your approval and if you want to let any one[sic] use any you have, I will release the right for you. You remember we were talking of getting a book out of Charlie’s colored paintings with his own descript- tions, and you said you were willing to let me use some of the paintings you have, especially WHERE TRACKS SPELL MEAT OR WAR. I will be glad to have a good photograph of that and all the pictures of Charlie’s you purchased this Winter. I have a good cut of A BAD ONE, but the others are not good. Would you mind letting me have three copies of each, two for myself and the other for the Public Library in Great Falls? , they are trying to keep as good a record of Chas. and his work as they can get to- gether. I will write to COUNTRY LIFE about reproducing the pictures in the near future and will let you know what they have to say. The matter of the historical theories ,[sic] I have thought of a lot and will try to tell you how I feel about them. In the first place, I want to at some future time take the originals and the descriptions and make them into a very interesting as well as beautiful book – history of the old West. That is the main reason I want to keep them together and have the right to do that. I am also facing this: there are three different people that want twelve to eighteen of the sketches as a small collection. I could get more money for them that way. They would average from $500.00 to $800.00 each and that is more than I want to ask you for them if you take the entire fifth-two[sic] and were willing I should use them as I plan. If you still want the originals at $400.00 each are willing that I should use them in a book some day[sic], I will let them move from my house to your house and when I want to see Charlie’s own handwork in anyquantity[sic], I will have to go to Dr. Philip G. Cole’s house to see it. The bunch of pen work with your collection would give you almost a corner on Russell work. [next] Page 3. The frame is being made for Father De Smed – his name was Peter J. De Smed – and I have some data on him that I will send you later on. I will send the frame and laminator from here and have the painting go from Great Falls as soon as the court releases it to me, and that will be the first part of June or as soon as I get back to Montana. It does seem you did get back to your home just at the right time. I hope Philip’s arm is most well and, of course, Jane will be fine by now as measles don’t last long. I had Jack five days at home Easter and truly he is growing into quite a man. We enjoyed each other very much. I am enclosing the “Forward” by Will Rogers for Charlie’s book TRAILS PLOWED UNDER; when you have read it, please return it to me. I know you will be interested to know Mrs. Rogers has bought a TIGHT DALLEY AND LOOSE LADIGO, the one I wanted Mr. McKay to have, and the oil of the RUNNING FIGHT BETWEEN SIOUS[sic] AND BLACKFEET, the one similar to your Water color[sic]. You asked me to tell you about the changes the pictures make. I have named my place here in Pasadena TRAIL’S END. My very kindest regards to you and yours. Sincerely,
[Transcribed by Michelle Henley, 2014-01-29]