Two pages from William B. Walker, May 11, 1916, the Metropolitan Museum of Art will not accept as a gift the painting "The Signal Glass".

[1] New York, May 11th 1916 Mr. & Mrs. Charles M. Russell, Great Falls, Montana. My dear Friends: Under date of April 19th, during my absence on one of my trips, the following letter came from Mr. H. W. Kent, Secretary of the Metropolitan Museum of Art: “I beg to inform you that, after careful considera- tion, the Trustees of the Metropolitan Museum of Art have deemed it inexpedient to accept the painting, entitled The Signal Glass, by Charles M. Russell, which you have offered to them as a gift. I am requested by the Trustees, however, to express to you their hearty appreciation of your generosity and to thank you for this evidence of your interest in the Museum. On returning to us the temporary receipt given you by our Registrar when the painting was sent to us, will you kindly inform me as to its dis- position and intimate your wishes as to the time of its return to you. Respectfully, H.W. Kent, Secretary.” I am returning today the receipt from the Museum to the Folsom Galleries. Have carefully investigated the situation and find that the Trustees gave most serious consideration to the hanging of this picture and were agreed on the point [2] that it was a wonderful and most realistic production and had it been half the size, they would have accepted same and hung it. Another thing counting against its acceptance was the fact that they had two Remington’s and one Schroyer, which several of the eastern Trustees thought was good representation for the west. There is no question in my mind but what they will find later on that they made a mistake in not crowding out some of the less meritorious productions that they have on their walls to make room for The Signal Glass. Mr. Huntington has just donated the ground at 155th Street and Riversidedrive[sic] for a Museum, dedicated to exhibits of western frontier life and were it not for the fact that it will be two to three years before the building is completed, would suggest that we take the matter up with them. However, this is something that we can look after later. Guy Weadick and the writer called on Colonel Roosevelt yesterday and secured his assurance of acceptance as one of the Honorary Stewards of the Stampede. He stated that if he is anywhere near New York on the day of the opening, he will take great pleasure in opening the show in person. In the mean time we are delighted with the products of your skill in our home, and Fay joins with me in sending you our very best wishes. Sincerely yours, [signed] Wm B Walker wbw mgl

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-08-20]