From Cole, three pages, May 11, 1926, "Where Tracks Spell Meat or War", "Last Chance Gulch", "Noses that Read a Smell that Spells Man", "Scalp Dancer", thanks Charles M. Russell for pictures and praises his work, regarding the sheep picture--he wants quite a bit of action, "The cow puncher...can kill or wound the sheep herder as much as you want, but spare a few sheep..."

May 11, 1926 PGC: EG Mr. Charles M. Russell, 6816 Odin Street, Hollywood, Calif. Dear Charley: Thank you very much for your wife’s letter of the 2nd. To me it also seemed funny to have an agent in dealing with you, and I much prefer not to have such form of humor, because I do not see why an agent should get in between us with a commission. Under the circumstances when I bought “Where Tracks Spell Meet”[sic] it did not seem possible to avoid this. However, I hope that in such future dealings which we may have we can cut the third party out to the ad- vantage of both of us. Like all of your things we are growing to love “Where Tracks Spell Meet''[sic] more and more. I really consider this one of my jewels, and know that as time goes on it will become more and more dear to both Mrs. Cole and myself. I am so glad that you did a nice job on eliminating the agony of the Elk . As to your inquiry regarding the size of the Sheep picture that is a rather difficult question for me to answer . I will be guided largely by your judg- ment in this, though my preference is very decidedly to have it as small as you can consistently make it. I should say possibly about the size of the one you made last Winter for me of the discovery of “Last Chance Gulch''. I also will not want to go over Three Thousand Dollars for this picture - less if you can make it so without in any way cutting down on the picture itself - a thing which I know you would not do. It is, of course, understood that I am in no way obligated to take this picture should it not prove everything that I hoped for. You know me well enough by past experience to know that I am sincere and will be on the square about it. One more thing in connection with this picture . Please remember that it is to be a "SHEEP" picture; that is, actually showing a band of sheep. I mention this be- cause we kidded so much about having all the sheep killed off by the Cow Puncher or something like that. You can kill or wound the sheep herder as much as you want, but spare a few sheep and do keep the action well in the foreground. I would really like to see some rather violent action here, as all the rest of my pictures [next] -2- from you, as you know, are pretty much subdued. I am in receipt, by the same mail as your letter, one from Mr. Furman telling me that the little bronze of "Noses that Read" is being sent direct to me from the Brooklyn Foundry. In some way a misunderstanding has occurred here, for I do not and never have wanted that particular bronze. Frankly I do not care for the flask appearing in it, therefore, if it does come to me I will return it at once. I guess I had better send it back to the foundry that sends it to me, and will do so unless I receive instructions to the contrary. You tell me that you think Mr. Furman is shipping on to me the “Scalp Dancer" which I saw at the Biltmore. This little bronze I am very anxious to have, though I would much prefer to have a better casting of it. I will be glad to accept the one which he is sending with the understanding that when you have a more perfect casting made I can exchange mine for the better one. As to the wall panel - this is only a rather vague thought and ambition which I have. Just at present I do not have a room for the collection and do not see much prospect of ever having one. We have our pictures right in the hall of our home. Frankly they are at a great disadvantage there, but you will understand that Mrs. Cole and I both prefer to live with our pictures where we can see them every day, rather than to have them stuck off in some place where it is an effort to walk to them. We like to live right with them, even though they do not get the lighting that they should. I may, however, take this panel proposition up with you for a number of smaller sections to be used in the downstairs part of the hall. I will let you know about this if we decide we could use them. I think Charley also would not only enjoy doing these, but could get more or less of a connected story which would be in every way most attractive. I have a nice letter from O. C. Seltzer today, and am asking him to send on for my inspection everything he has on hand, hoping that I can find few little things out of the lot. I almost forgot to mention the new bronze which you say Charley is making of the Indian sitting on the ledge of the rock with the fire, owl, etc. This sounds most attractive. When you have the bronze cast please be sure to have them send me one. I am quite sure that I will want this. Remember here that we will not [next] -3- be dealing through a third party when you make your price. I am eagerly looking forward to the illustrated letter and envelope you are going to send me. Do not put this off too long. If there is ever any little favor I can do for either of you in New York, please be sure to let me know. Katharine joins me in best regards and every good wish to both of you. Yours as always, [signed] Philip G. Cole [handwritten] I suppose that you + Nancy have had to lower yourselves to the automobile and have one at home. I am sending on ^to Great Falls Hollywood^ a little package of valve accessories -“insides” “caps” “gauges” etc to carry for spare if you ever need them Even the Best of Riders Quit when they get a flat tire Doc

[Transcribed by Melynda Seaton, 2011-11-22]

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