From Cole, July 1, 1927, three pages, received Father de Smidt, very pleased with the painting, has enclosed check of $3000 as first partial payment, lists paintings to be given to Nancy C. Russell as partial payment as well--leaves balance of $20,500 owed.

July 1, 1927 Mrs. Charles M. Russell, Great Falls, Montana Dear Nancy: I telegraphed you as follows on June 28: “Picture received good condition Expect to keep it Letter follows ." I have been so very busy since the arrival of Father de Smet that I have been unable to write you sooner as I should have done . The picture arrived in excellent shape, the frame and reflector having come, as you know, quite a bit earlier. I have placed Father de Smet in its frame and it is now hanging in a temporary place at the house . You know without my telling you, how much we love it . Until the Russell room is completed (which will not be until the middle of September) it, of course will be impossible to judge it in its proper surroundings. However, I feel so confident that we will want it, that I hasten to announce to you my intention of keeping this picture though I am not using the thirty day privilege in accordance with the arrangements that were made by us out in California . I feel, however, that I should let you know as soon as possible because it may help you in your plans, and just to show you my good will, I am enclosing my check No. 78 on the Lawyers Trust Company for $3,000. to be applied on the purchase of this painting . It will be much simpler for me if I can ay you the balance due next September or October when you are here in New York, and at the same time I can turn over to you the pictures which you are accepting as part payment. Ac- cording to our understanding the purchase price of the painting, "Father de Smet " is $30,000. and you have agreed to accept in part payment the following pictures by Charley at the prices given opposite each one: Water Colors: “The Buffalo Herd” ……….......$2,000. “Indians on March in Snow”.. 1,500. “Prairie Pirates”..................... 1,500. Oil Paintings: “Tanning Hides”....................... 750. “The Travoy”........................... 750. $6500. This would leave a cash balance due you of $23,500. and de- ducting from this figure the amount of the enclosed check[next] 2nd Mrs. Charles M. Russell July 1, 1927 the balance due you will be $20.500. I am wondering if I can ask you to take in on this trade three little water color sketches by Charley at $500. each. They are: No . 70 of “Red Cloud" 77 either a Blood (or possibly a Seminole made when Charlie was in Florida) 168 a Piegan on a pony and are all shown in my album. You can refer to your copy to see what they are. They were also among the photographs I recently sent you. Frankly, I am confident that you will have no trouble at all disposing of these at more than $1500 . for the three for they are really good - so good , in fact , that when we were arranging for the purchase of Father de Smet I did not even consider trading or selling them to you . As a matter of fact, I am leaving them during the summer with Babcocks with a much higher price on them . You, of course, will have more opportunities of selling them than either Babcock or I would. I am asking you something which you, of course, are not in any way com- pelled to do. I feel, however, that you will be willing to coperate[sic] with me in helping me to put over the $30,000. purchase. I am naming a reasonable figure and the $1500. which I can further deduct (if you will take this chance with me) will make it easier for me to handle “Father de "Smet" . Katharine and I are leaving with our family the end of next week and will spend the balance of the summer at the Lake Placid Club . In writing me, however, you will do better to address your letters to me here at the factory. All mail sent to me here will be forwarded. Katharine, Miss Ralston, the children and I all join in every good wish to you . It is really going to be quite a problem giving up all of our Russell pictures for a whole month just after we get the new Russell room completed. However, your exhibition is not only going to be a wonderful one, but for a cause I am glad to help you with. It is already understood, I believe, you are to use all of my pictures and that I am to be given pro- per credit for owning and loaning all of these , also that you (or the Galleries) will cover each picture individually with the amount of insurance which I shall designate. I want to say right here that I am going to put large amounts on each on , Naturally, I would not sell any of the pictures for what I have paid for them, and I cannot for- get the experience that Mr. McKay had recently. It might be of interest to you to know that[next] 3rd Mrs. Charles M. Russell July 1, 1927 "The Three Generations" was sent on to me from Great Falls and that I promptly returned it with one look. It had some of the ear marks of Charley, but that is about all I could say for it . Once again with every good wish and looking forward to hearing favorably from you soon on the matter of accepting the three water colors, I am, Sincerely yours, Encl. [signed] Philip P-S I have seen some interesting books on Father de Smet. The correct spelling of his name is de Smet - ^not^ de Smidt as you had it at the exhibition in Los Angeles.

[Transcribed by Michelle Henley, 2014-01-30]

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