From H.E. Maule, New York, March 24, 1927, approves of Will Rogers introduction to unnamed book.

March 24, 1927 Dear Mrs. Russell: Not only does Will Rogers’ letter of introduction to Mr. Rusell’s book meet with our approval but all of us think it one of the most remarkable intro- ductions we ever read anywhere. I think we are all to be congratulated on it and I hope you will tell Mr. Rogers how enthusiastic we are over it. It certainly will be a great addition to the book. As you know, I was a little bit skeptical about an in- troduction by Will Rogers because my idea from the first had been something to reflect the importance and dignity of Charles E. Russell, the painter. Will Rogers has made up for all that by his tremendous cleverness and the deep sincerity with which he has written of his old friend. As a tribute to Mr. Russell it is one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever read. As for the date of publication, it now seems best to us to bring the book out in the early fall, say, the middle of October, that to rush it through for summer publication. You see this is the kind of book that will have a better sale generally speaking in the fall than in the summer. It will be bought by people who know and love the West all over the country for Christmas gifts to friends. We will really sell more in the long run by publishing it in the early fall than by publishing it in the summer. Beside [sic], it would not have been possible to publish it in the summer and get it adequately sold to the bookstores throughout the country for the reason that our salesmen were out on the road selling the spring and summer books months ago. They start out on the road again to sell the fall books of which “Trails Plowed Under” will be one, late in April or early in May. Therefore, it will not be possible for you to have it to sell in Glacier Park this summer. We can send you a salesman’s prospectus of the book, however, upon which you can take orders for fall delivery if you would like to do that. As you say, it was not wise to rush this book through and have it anything but just what you hoped for. Just at the present time we are somewhat held up and considerably puzzled by the fact that we have not received any material from the Montana Newspaper Association since you wrote them last. There are four or five good pictures in “Rawhide Rawlins” and “More Rawhides” which we should like very much to include in the book and we don't want to finish the makeup into pages until we know definitely whether we are going to get those pictures or not. It might be worth your while to telegraph the Montana Newspaper Association and ask them whether they have sent us anything and if not won’t they let us know just what they can do. When we know we will be in a position to go ahead and finish the paging of the book. When it is all set, the pictures engraved and put into place in proof form, we will send you a com- plete set of page proofs for your reading and O.K. On account of the delay with the Montana Newspaper Association it will be a couple or three weeks after they let us know before we can finish up that work. Keep me in touch when you change your address so that I can send the proofs to the proper place. I certainly hope your Pasadena studio will be a great success and I’m sure it will be. Mr. Russell’s work is growing in popularity as well as artistic im- portance every day. I’m sure you are going to be delighted with the book which we are all sure is going to be a truly beautiful piece of work. With all best wishes, Mrs. Nancy C. Russell Yours Sincerely, Pasadena, Calif. [signed] H. E. Maule HEM:F

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-05-07]

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