From Nancy C. Russell, October 18, 1927, two pages, will put on exhibit after all, "Atica in 1887", first big oil Charles M. Russell ever painted and wonders if Cole would like to see it since he has last painting Charles painted.

Trail’s End Pasadena, California October 18th, 1927 Mr. Philip G. Cole c/o A. Schrader’s Son, Inc. 470 Vanderbilt Ave. Brooklyn, New York Dear Philip: Yours of October 6th received when I reached Trail’s End. In the same mail I had a letter from the Grand Central Galleries and they seemed to think it was a great mistake my not continuing with the plan of having the Memorial Exhibition this fall so I am wiring them tonight that I will go on and have the show in November, also telling them to consult with you about the number of Russell pictures we can borrow from your collection. As I think of your pictures you can put on a show without me sending anything. I am glad you sold said you were disappointed because now I don’t feel so badly about pulling your collection to pieces for a little while which is beginning to have the recognition of being the finest collection and you deserve to have people know it. I think it must have been shyness on your part that kept it a secret so long. The Grand Central Gallery also said you had chosen four bronzes and asked me for a discount on the four. I will send from here all the things of Charlie’s that are top-notchers, then I think Mr. Sack has three that he will be willing to loan. Since Mr. McKay’s tragedy I hesitate to even ask him for anything but of course I am going to but I hope he will feel free to say no if he has any feeling that he does not care to allow his pictures to leave his home. Now regarding settling up our account, I will be glad to take in the seven pictures on the account as you have outlined and you hold them there until I reach New York. It is possible we could put them somewhere in the Exhibition and maybe dispose of the some of them. If you wish to send a check here at Trail’s End I would be very glad to have you do so. I had a very busy summer too and it seemed to sap my energy, my health is not in my way bad but I am a little mentally tired. The Biography or narrative about Charlie has gone to Mr. Maule of Doubleday Page. Of course editors have the deciding voice in anything of that kind but I believe it is a good piece of manuscript and will make a book that will interest many people, but it remains to be seen what the editors think. We worked on it constantly for four months which does not seem to be a very long time as I think back over it now but it was intensive work and I believe sounds much like Charlie so that his friends will recognize him immediately in its pages. We are calling it “The Child of the Old Frontier” instead of a biography. [next] Mr. Philip G. Cole -2- Brooklyn, New York October 18th, 1927 I am sure you have seen a copy of “Trails Plowed Under”. I am very pleased with that book and I think it will add to Charlie’s name in the east just as you predicted and I feel you are right about my doing my part to continue to keep Charlie’s reputation before the people of America. Thank you for punching me up when I became sort of dull and wanted to slide back and wait. I look forward to seeing you and your family when I am in New York. I feel your counsel will be a great help through the month that I will be there. Sincerely, MG 725 Michigan Blvd. Pasadena, California P.S. I have now in my possession a very old picture of Charlie’s, in fact the first big oil he ever painted. It belongs to a man in Montana but because of its historical value I wanted you to see it. It is “Utica in 1887”. You probably have heard of the picture. If you want to see it it will be no trouble to have it sent on to you in New York and if it does not fit in there is no damage done. The fact that it is the first big picture and you have the very last picture may make it attractive to you. The change in the quality of work is certainly marvelous. Please wire me if you want to see this picture.

[Transcribed by Melynda Seaton, 2011-10-21]

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