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Charles Marion Russell (American, 1864-1926) - An illustrated invitation letter addressed to Colonel H. Henderson A.D.C. to the 1919 Victory Stampede in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with an illustration of a bucking bronco and rider above by Russell and signed 'C M Russell' with the artist's skull device, accompanied by finely executed calligraphic lettering and signed below by George Lane, Chairman to the organising committee. The present letter reads: 'Colonel H. Henderson A.D.C. Government House, Ottawa. The committee extends to you a cordial invitation to witness this contest of cowboy sports for the World's Championship Titles at Calgary, Alberta, Canada. August, 25th to 30th 1919. Signed on behalf of the committee. Geo lane, Chairman.' Dimensions: 24.6 x 16.5 cm Provenance: Belonging to a private collection and family who acquired the present letter while residing in Canada in the 1950s. Charles M. Russell was one of the defining artists of the American West and often regarded as the foremost interpreter of the Western experience - celebrated for his vivid paintings and drawings of cowboys, Indigenous peoples, ranch life and the rapidly vanishing frontier. Russell exhibited at the inaugural Calgary Stampede in 1912, where his work enjoyed remarkable success, and returned in 1919 at the invitation of promoter Guy Weadick for the Victory Stampede where he created original illustrated correspondence and promotional artwork. He and Nancy Russell mounted an exhibition of 24 paintings and 8 bronzes, making it one of the earliest major fine art exhibitions associated with a rodeo. The present letter is believed to be addressed to Lieutenant Colonel Harold Greenwood Henderson ADC (Aide-de-Camp), one of the military aides stationed at Rideau Hall (Government House) to Victor Cavendish, 9th Duke of Devonshire and Governor General of Canada 1916-1921. The present letter is signed by George Lane, Chairman of the 1919 Victory Stampede organising committee and known as one of Calgary's 'Big Four' cattle barons who financed the Stampede. The invitations formed part of the Victory Stampede committee's extensive campaign to attract prominent Canadian, British and American figures, including the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Connaught, Princess Patricia and the Duke of Devonshire, Governor General of Canada. The present invitation reflects the organisers' deliberate effort to associate the Stampede with Canada's political, military and imperial establishment.
Of motoring interest: Ferrari 250 GTO, a case-framed Diorama by Patrick Richard of La Ruée vers l’Art, labelled verso, 21 x 27cm "This handmade, fine scale (1/43rd) model garage diorama is a unique three-dimensional scene created by Patrick Richard at his studio La Ruee vers l'Art (The Rush to Art) in Barbizon, France. Each piece is handmade to order with meticulous attention to detail, placing objects where they should be, and his dioramas are highly collected worldwide. The Ferrari 250 GTO is produced from 1962 to 1964. It was powered by Ferrari’s Tipo 168/62 Colombo V12 engine. The “250” in its name denotes the displacement in cubic centimetres of each of its cylinders; “GTO” stands for Gran Turismo Omologato, Italian for “Grand Touring Homologated.” Just 36 of the 250 GTOs were manufactured between 1962 and 1964. When new, the 250 GTO cost $18,000 in the United States. This model has since become highly desired by automobile collectors and sales have repeatedly set price records. The current record for world’s most expensive car was set in June 2018 when a 1963 250 GTO (chassis 4153GT) was sold in a private sale for $70 million. In 2004, Sports Car International placed the 250 GTO eighth on a list of Top Sports Cars of the 1960s, and nominated it the top sports car of all time. Similarly, Motor Trend Classic placed the 250 GTO first on a list of the “Greatest Ferraris of All Time.”. Popular Mechanics named it the “Hottest Car of All Time.”" "27cm W 21cm H"
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