Date post: | 13-Apr-2017 |
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Vail Symposium on C.M. RussellJanuary 25, 2017
The Gore Range Room, Vail Golf Course and Nordic Clubhouse
Why and How Western Art Resonates
A Collector’s Perspective on Charlie Russell
by Thomas A. Petrie
Themes to Pursue with You
Early Influences (both on me & Russell), Why CMR Resonates
Then Examine the Germ of an Idea for a Masterpiece
Explore Nancy Russell’s Role in Charlie’s Success
Develop the Background for The “Ghost Horse” Legend
Finish with Thoughts about Russell the Communicator and Humorist
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Park Hotel Christmas Menu Cards
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Nancy’s Role in Charlie’s Success
Nancy Russell’s Unpublished Reminisces
Christmas 1897
“Our First Real Money”
The Park Hotel had a special Christmas dinner, and Charlie made an original water color on one hundred twenty-five menu cards.* For this he received twenty dollars. Right there we had a real fuss. He had worked days on them, and I thought he should have a least as much as the cook and waiter would get per day.
For perspective, Charlie’s nephew, Austin Russell, made a comment regarding another art matter which comes to mind: If left to himself, Charlie was not very practical; he would devote just as much care (as an artist) to things not meant to sell.”
Herein we see the origins of Nancy’s highly focused management of Charlie’s business affairs.
* of which relatively few are believed to have survived.
Nancy Russell Reminisces 1897 and 1898
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Nancy’s Role in Charlie’s Success
Nancy Russell Reminisces
Great Falls – Our First Real Money – Second Christmas
1897 and 1898
One day we met a woman who wanted a water color of a steam-boat stopped by buffalo crossing the Missouri River. The finished piece of work was a beauty, and we thought it should bring a good price. Charlie hoped the buyer would pay twenty-fivedollars. We needed hay for the horses, and I wanted a new cook stove. So I asked if I couldn’t deliver the picture.
“Now, Mame, if you ask more than twenty-five dollars for that picture, she won’t take it, and we need the money.”
But our lady saw the beauty of the picture and was much pleased. She asked, “How much does Mr. Russell want for it?”
With a choking sensation, I said, “Thirty-five dollars.”
“Just wait; I will give you a check.”
Glory be! I had ten dollars toward the new cook stove. Charlie got as great a thrill out of that piece of paper as he did when I handed him a check for thirty thousand dollars in 1926, when he quietly said, “I can’t read so many figures. What do they say?”