The eye, inspiration and passion for collecting: C.M. Russell and the Old American West

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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Montana Arms Collectors Association calendar cover

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Early Influences

When I Was a Kid

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Early Influences

An Evening With Old Nis-su Kai-yo

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Early Influences

Hunter’s Rest, ca 1892

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The Germ of a Masterpiece Idea

Sentinel Duty, unknown

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The Germ of a Masterpiece Idea

Meat’s Not Meat ‘Till It’s in the Pan, 1915

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The Masterpiece

Samples - Park Hotel Christmas Menu Cards

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Nancy’s Role in Charlie’s Success

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Nancy Russell’s Unpublished Reminisces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.

1886 Sketch

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Nancy’s Role in Charlie’s Success

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Waiting For the Herd to Cross

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?”

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When The Land Belonged To God

The Stolen Herd, ca 1895

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The “Ghost Horse” Legend

Horsethieves, 1901

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The “Ghost Horse” Legend

Single Handed

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The “Ghost Horse” Legend

Trouble Hunters

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The “Ghost Horse” Legend

Brother Van Letter

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Charlie the Communicator

Kootenai Lodge Swan Lake note, August 30, 1926

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Charlie the Communicator

Frank On The Prairie

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Charlie the Communicator

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The Piegans

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In Swan Lake Country

March 16-18, 2017 in Great Falls, Montana

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The Mad Cow