Frederic Remington ALS to George Albee, CMOH, Regarding Repairing his Winchester

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Nov 18, 2016 - Nov 19, 2016

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• Lot Description
  Remington, Frederic Sackrider (1861-1909). ALS, 2pp, 7 x 9 in., New Rochelle. August 27, [1895]. Signed Frederic Remington. To George E. Albee, at the time a representative for Winchester.
  
  Remington writes: My dear Albee, I am going West (New Mexico) hunting 15 next month - and while my Winchester is all right - it is not sighted true enough forward and besides it has been traveled about until it needs re-sighting - if I will send it up to you - will you have a true forward sight put on it. He draws the current sight and the sight he wants. He then inquires as to the best rifle case to carry it in.
  
  He goes on to tell Albee that he visited the PA National Guard and was impressed with their discipline (strictest discipline I ever saw outside of Germany). His postscript is amusing: I have written long article (imaginary situation) about the 1st U.S. Cycle Infantry - Harpers Weekly. Thanks to you Signal Corps & Giddings. Remington's article, "The Colonel of the First Cycle Infantry," appeared in the May 18, 1895 issue of Harper's Weekly.
  
  Remington was an artist who became famous as illustrator and later sculptor of Western themes. Born in Canton, NY, he was a cousin of Eliphalet Remington, founder of Remington Arms Co. Born just at the outset of the Civil War, he saw little of his father, a colonel in the US Army, during his first four years of life. His father had ambitions for his son to enter USMA, and Frederic attended military schools for his secondary education.
  
  He had little interest in this career path, or any other career path, for that matter. He could envision a career in journalism, and did attend the Yale University art school. He preferred sports to drawing still objects, although he was not very good at sports, either. He made his first trip west at the age of 19, hoping to buy a ranch or mining operation. He could not afford either, but he observed the still-open prairie, though its native wildlife (such as buffalo) were fast disappearing, the last Indian-Army conflicts, the cowboys and more. He hunted grizzly bears in New Mexico.
  
  Remington later did buy a ranch, but sold it after a year. He engaged in several other ventures, but it still took a few years before he realized he could make a living at art, and he had a real talent. He also had seen more of the "real West" than many other contemporary artists. And Remington communicated with many of the principal players, including military men. He made portraits of the officers in particular, men such as General Nelson Miles.
  
  Harper's sent him to Arizona in 1886, early in his career, to cover the war against the Apaches. Remington never saw Apaches, but did acquire artifacts he later used in photos and sketches. And although early sketches were in black-and-white, he made notes about colors he saw, using these when he moved into watercolor.
  
  The following year he was commissioned to illustrate a book by Theodore Roosevelt, an association that would last a lifetime. During the Spanish American War the reality of warfare set in. He witnessed the assault on San Juan Hill, but his reports and illustrations focused on the troops more than the generals. Remington's career continued to evolve, as he added sculpture and other themes. But tastes were changing, and the West was not as popular as around the turn of the century.
  
  Remington's influence on American art cannot be overstated. From themes and subjects to techniques, he still continues to influence American art. He was one of the first, for example, to correctly illustrate the gait of a horse (later validated by Muybridge).
  
  George Emerson Albee (1845-1918) was a native of New Hampshire. He enlisted in the 1st US Sharpshooters in June 1862 - barely 17 years of age (was he one of many who "stretched the truth" about their age when they enlisted?). He was wounded at Second Manassas and discharged for disability while recovering. He enlisted in the Wisconsin 3rd Light Artillery in late 1863, and was shortly discharged for promotion to the 36th WI Infy. He mustered out of volunteer service in June 1865, and was commissioned into the 36th USCT. He had later service in the 41st and 24th US Infantry, retiring in 1878, although he served in the Connecticut National Guard. Remington makes reference to Albee's Connecticut National Guard unit in the letter.
  
  His second career was as a representative for Winchester Arms. He gave sharpshooting demonstrations and made design suggestions for the company. He also published short articles based on his Indian Wars journal.
  
  Albee was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1894 for actions at Brazos River, TX on October 28, 1869. According to the citation, he and two other men fought off 11 Indians, driving them from the hills and reconnoitering the country beyond.
  
  It is not certain where Albee and Remington met, but their paths could have crossed any number of points - writing, shooting, Indian Wars veterans' events, etc.

  Condition

  Folds as expected, else very good.
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