From Nancy C. Russell, two pages, October 14, 1921, no inspiration for fireplace picture, sold a large painting for $10,000, "Navajo" was also sold along with a small one, "Wagons" mentioned.

[1] October 14, 1921. Mr. M.S. MacKay, Tenafly, N. J. My dear MacKay family, I do wonder if you have received a letter from us this sum- mer? I bet not, because you always answer. We could not remember your post office address, so sent it to Rosebud. Maybe there is no such place and one of these days our letter will come back. I am most ashamed to tell you Chas has not had an inspiration for your fire-place picture, but it will come in time. I will go back to last winter and tell you Chas has modeled eight new groups and I do wish you could see them. I am sending some photos to Tiffany Co. at their request. I gave them your name as reference if they wanted it. We have not gotten these new pieces in bronze because the quotations form Gorham are pro- hibitive. Their charges are more than we could sell the bronze for and not counting the expenses already charged against each group, then a commission of 25 or 30 per cent. Chas would get off with lots of glory, that’s all. The Italian who did our work is still in Italy, so we must find a new foundry. If you are up near Tiffany, please go in to the bronze department and ask them to see the photos. Its just possible they might know some way we could have the work reproduced, where there would be a little more money in it for Chas. I want you folks to know we sold the big Indian painting three days after the pictures arrived in Los Angeles and for $10,000.00. We also sold the “Navajoe”[sic] and another small one. I was afraid you would think we were on the rocks right. I am so pleased with the re- port of the opinion of some of the Fifth Avenue Art dealers. I guess there is one Malcolm MacKay that is a sure enough champion for Chas Russell and his work. Chas has painted four new pictures this spring and summer. They will be finished for a show we are planning on having in Denver in November and Colorado Springs in December. Whenever Chas does anything really beautiful, I always wish you people could see it, as you savy his language. We have two other Indian pictures, one a buffalo hunt, the other called “Wagons”, that are just as fine as the best Chas has finished. [2] If you can give me any suggestions about the bronze, please do it. Our best regards to you all. Sincerely,

[Transcribed by Lauren B. Gerfen, 2012-08-22]