From Philip G. Cole to Nancy C. Russell
Gilcrease Museum
May 13, 1927 PGC: EG Mrs. Charles M. Russell, 701 Michigan Boulevard, Pasadena, California. Dear Nancy: Thank you for your prompt response to my letter and for the information you gave me. Also thank you very much for the copy of the "Forward" by Will Rogers. It is one of the loveliest and most touching things I have ever read. It will surely be a world beater as an introduction. I took it home last night for Katharine and Miss Ralston to read. Katharine as they moved to tears at the reading of it. Even my partner here in the office 'as deep y touches when he read it. Otherwise no one has seen it, and I am hastening to return it here with with my congratulations to you and to Will Rogers. Also congratulations on the name of "Trail 's End'' for your new home. It is indeed a beautiful and appropriate name. I hope for you, however, that the trail will be a long and happy one in your beautiful place . We too, as you know , are in the midst of plan- ning for our new Russell Room. It is really going to be very attractive and most appropriate, though necessarily not crude like Mr. Mackay' s. It is surely going to show Charley‘s things off to their very best advantage; for in addition to being strictly a room for his things I will have the other things by Remington, Selzter >Schreyvogel<, Sharp, etc., to contrast with his things, all of which will react to the advantage which Charley' s things always have over anybody else. The other day I had a letter from one of the editors of “Country Life” asking permission to come in and see my Russell pictures and talk over some things in con- nection with “Trails Plowed Under”. I, of course, welcomed him amd[sic] assured him that he was more than welcome to any help I may be able to give him, not only in connection with the book, but in anything that has to do with Charley or you. Mr. Lyman Beecher Stowe who is a friend and almost next door neighbor of ours is also one of the editors, and I mentioned to him that it was understood by me that “Where Track spell Meat or War” was to be used in the new book.[next] 2nd Page – Mrs. Charles M. Russell, May 3, 1927 I am wondering if the use of this picture involves its removal from the house. Recollection the experience shich[sic] put “Jerked Down” within may hands I am somewhat >”leery”< of that. However, whatever is needed can be done. I think you may know that this picture has a very deep place in my affections as it did in yours. I am rather looking forward to the interview from ''Country Life ". I think the editor will be more or less taken off his feet when he sees what I have of Charley's. I am going to show him how, if they wish, they can run one wonderful picture of Charley' s every month for the next two years, though I presume they might be more interested in running two or three issues with several pictures each. Incidentally it has occurred to me that the "New York World" and "Outing" might both be interested in running some reproductions of my things . When I get an opportunity I am going to offer this sug- gestion to both of them. I think, however, that such suggestions come more appropriately from you than they do from me. You see I am trying to work with you in the matter of proper publicity. Articles such as appeared in last August's issue of "Country Life” mean a great deal and I do shope[sic] that the proper publicity will be kep>t< up by you. Mr. Juley has given me (and of course, charged to me) one copy of the photos which he bas of Charley's things. Three or four of these I will use in place of my own photographs - which will save a certain amount of labor here in our own photographic department. I am very busy trying to work up the additional photographs to be added to my book. When I tell you that I have 66 things to add from Ed. Borein, two from Tenney Johnson, forty or so from Sharp and the bunch which you know so well that I got from you, you will realize that this is some job. Each picture and bronze has to be photographed three times before it is finally on the finished sheet. I am having them make ^for you^ four copies of everything which I have that has to do with Charley. This may give you some extra ones but you won't mind that. I must warn you, however, that while I will get them to you just as soon as possible, it will be some time before they can get down to doing this. Otherwise I will have to call them off and interrupt them on the job on which they are working so hard. If you are really in a rush for the and send me a telegram, however, I will see that you get them immediately. You can be sure of counting on receiving them. [next] 3rd Page – Mrs. Charles M. Russell, May 3, 1927 I am delighted to know that Mrs. Rogers has bought "Tight Dalley and Loose Ladigo". In this con- nection you will be pleased to learn that having seen this picture and “Rattlesnakes Rattle” and >but< “Cows ring their Tails", I have proceeded immediately to get out of my collection the two replicas by Seltzer. You will be sorry to hear that the ''Discovery of Last Chance Gulch" is beginning to very badly chip and flake throughout its central portion. I am really very, very much worried about it. Assume that it must have been forced in its drying process - probably was stuck behind the stove or something like that. Under strict injunction to not make the least change whatever of any kind whatsoever, I have been forced to have Seltzer fill in the cracks and fissures and then varnish correct and stop this flaking and fissuring. If you have any other suggestion to give me on it please write me about it, as this picture is one of my real loves and I will do anything to preserve it as it is. You will be interested and glad to know that I have just bought “The Wagon Boss” from Fletcher Maddox. Also that I am inspecting "The Strenuous Life'' owned by Mrs. Holmes. The Como Co. has been trying to sell me some pictures which I feel are inferior, too big, and too highly priced. As a matter of fact I now have about all of Charley's things which I can properly accommodate, unless they be small and very good. Though, if really of his very best and reasonable in price, I am always interested in looking into anything by him. Now as to the original sketches; much as I would lo>v
Scope and Content Notes
From Philip G. Cole, May 3, 1927, four pages, planning Charlie Russell rooms, letter from editor of "Country Life" wants permission to see his collection, use of "Tracks Spell Meat or War" for new book, mentions "Jerked Down", is busy working up additional photographs for his book, mentions "Tight Dalley", "Loose Ladigo", "Rattlesnakes Rattle", and "Cows Ring Their Tails", "Last Chance Gulch" is chipping badly, bought "The Wagon Boss" from Fletcher Maddox, inspecting "The Strenuous Life" owned by Mrs. Holmes, needs photograph of Father de Smed painting.
