Letter by Nancy C. Russell to Mr. Owen Culbertson; tells Culbertson that his description and ideas for the book of letters please her very much, and she would love to see how they look, but she has given Doubleday, Doran and Company first consideration since they already published a book on Charles M. Russell's work. Typed.

Trail’s End Pasadena, California January 11, 1928 Mr. Owen Culbertson Harvard Law Club 30 East 37th St. New York, N. Y. Dear Mr. Culbertson: Y our letter of January 3rd received. In the same mail I re- ceived a letter from Mr. Maule of Doubleday, Doran & Company and he too has been talking to his people about the book of letters and you will remember I told you the Double day people really should have the refusal of the publication because of their bringing out “TrailssPlowed[sic] Under” and have established a certain interest in Russell work. For that reason I feel it is a shame to have anyone go to too much work or trouble to give many estimates until I am sure that I am not going to allow it to be published by Doubleday. Your description and idea given pleases me so much it would be wonderful to see just the kind of book you have described but I am afraid of the outlay on my part. I would have to pay for all advertising as well as the cost of the book and to do it justice would mean many hundreds of dollars. There is always the possibility of the return not being as great as we had hoped and I think I am get- ting to be a little conservative when it comes to landing out and saying, “ Go ahead” until I can actually see where the money is coming from to put the thing over as should be. As soon as I get the list of letters will send you as much of a detailed account of what I have and you in turn can tell Mr. Connett but here again I want to say I am not sure that I can give him the book to publish and it seems a shame for you or anyone else to spend too much time on a thing as uncertain, yet how would I know where to go if you didn’t. This is some contradiction isn’t it and I certainly appreciate your interest. Every communication I have had from Mr. Conway he is begging for his manuscript back but hasn’t up to date sent me a carbon copy or my plates and material that he has. They will probably come along some of these days. Thank you again for the time and trouble that you have taken for the Russell work. I will not communicate with Mr. Connett. You please tell him that it sounds most wonderful and it is possible that he may have the book to publish but nothing sure. Sincerely, MG

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2013-01-02]