87

VERSO
Label, Trigg-C. M. Russell Foundation, Great Falls, Montana
Stamp, Hammer Galleries, New York, New York

Russell historian Frederic Renner wrote, “Men who made a specialty of riding outlaw horses had a language all their own. Such cowboys were bronco busters, twisters, peelers, or bronc stompers, men who scorned to pull leather as their horse bucked, crawfished, came apart, jackknifed, pitched, rainbowed, sunfished, or tried to chin the moon.

“Russell never acquired a reputation as a bronco buster, but that didn’t stop him from admiring one. In the early days on the range half the horses in a cowboy’s string could be expected to act snakey when a stiff saddle blanket was thrown over them on a cold morning. This was all in the day’s work and usually both the man and the horse put on a good show. A horse that pitched unexpectedly when the cowboy was out on the range was a different matter. When that happened the cowboy really put on a ride, knowing that if he got thrown it meant a long walk back to camp, to say nothing of the jeers of his friends.”

PROVENANCE
Clara S. Peck, New York, New York, gifted to
Dorothy Dodge Duncan, Sheridan, Wyoming, 1982, gifted to
James Arthur Collection, 1989
Museum at the Bighorns, Sheridan, Wyoming

Condition ReportAs viewed through glass. Paper appears to be in good condition.

Important Notice: Statements of condition are provided as a service to potential bidders; such statements are educated opinions and should not be regarded as facts. The Coeur d’Alene Art Auction has no responsibility for any errors or omissions.