Prolific Western artist (1861-1909) chiefly known for his portrayals of the Old West, where he traveled extensively. His works, which usually depicted cowboys, Native American Indians, and horses, are notable for their authenticity of detail. ALS, one page both sides, 8 x 6.5, Endion letterhead, no date. Handwritten letter to journalist Julian Ralph, adding two sketches above his closing: first is of a well-dressed man asking an Oriental man: "Now Lung Khi where do they sell the best Scotch in Ho-ho ho." The smaller illustration shows the two men going into an establishment identified on a sign as: "American Bar." At lower margin, Remington adds an explanation of the drawing: "(Lung Khi kept a laundry at 369 Green Ave Brooklyn for Eight four years)."
Remington's letter, in part: "Much obliged for the photo.—The[y] move like the patients in a chiropodists ante-room. But its a good photo.—I see there are the G-darndest plagues going in in Hong Kong—Foo-Chin—Ko-so—Fol-hi and other Chinese settlements on the coast that it ain't safe this side of the Big Corral fence—I think any man who will go to China would go to Hell for a Pastime. Did you give Willie Bull-calf a good send off? After it published I wont dare go down—some their skinned glad—will push a new kind of edged tool into my mid-riff cause he think I wrote it. Lots of moon-gazers think I write all the letter press that goes with my pictures. I suppose likewise lots think you also are a drawer. I am now pleading with the Cos—tan to get Clark's M.S. back but Walker has got an idea or…something…and won't cough." Double-matted to an overall size of 13 x 11.5. In fine condition.
The recipient, Julian Ralph, was a journalist for the New York Sun. His book, Our Great West (1893), contains four illustrations by Remington, who also contributed to Ralph's On Canada's Frontier (1892) and Dixie (1896). In 1890, Remington and Ralph visited Montreal and participated in a moose hunt. Remington illustrated an article written by Ralph about the trip for Harper's magazine that October
Beginning in 1886, Remington produced more than 400 illustrations for the nation's ten leading periodicals, including Century Magazine, in which Remington illustrated articles written by his friend, Theodore Roosevelt. In 1895, Remington began one of the most successful phases of his career, introducing his first sculpture, Bronco Buster. Remington's illustrated letters are scarce and desirable.
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