I thought I would revisit an article I wrote almost 15 years ago for American Western Magazine/Readthewest.com about the relationship between Frederic Remington and Owen Wister.
Most probably remember Owen Wister as the author of The Virginian but he wrote many more novels as well as articles for magazines in the 1800-1900’s like Colliers and Harper’s. My own book collection contains 75 + editions of The Virginian plus all the other books he wrote and growing every day. I just acquired an edition of The Virginian I didn’t have – go figure!
Before I continue with the story, I need to pause a moment and acknowledge someone who was essential in my collection and my knowledge about Wister. That would be Professor James Butler who was a professor of English at La Salle University in Pennsylvania. He was also curator of The Owen Wister Family Private Collection, housed at the University. I was adding to my collection, mostly via eBay and he was adding to the library via eBay. The bidding wars were on. I somehow finally made a connection with him, known as Wisterfisher on eBay and thus began our friendship and he became my unofficial editor. Thanks to him, I was able to get a private tour of the collection on the campus as well as some of the Wister residences. Miss you Butler.
Frederic Remington and Owen Wister first met in 1893 in Yellowstone. From there they became friends, collaborators and even rivals and critics of each other’s work. The two paired up quite a lot when working for Harper’s Magazine in the 1800-1900’s. Wister wrote the stories and Remington would illustrate them. In turn, Wister would supply introductions and verses for many of Remington’s books. Case in point, Wister did the intro and verses for Remington’s “Done In the Open” in 1902. It is an oversized portfolio of Remington’s paintings and drawings. In the intro, Wister praises him profusely and said, “Remington is not merely an artist; he is a national treasure.”
Remington was originally slated to do the illustrations for The Virginian in 1902 but reneged and it ended up being illustrated by a lesser known artist, Arthur I. Keller. This is where a bit of that rivalry came in. Wister’s Virginian prompted Remington to write his 2nd novel, John Ermine of the Yellowstone that same year. In my research and Butler’s insight, it was Remington’s intention to write a “realistic” story where a white boy raised by Indians, grows up falls in love, etc. He did not consider Wister’s Virginian realist but instead, a romance novel. Even though Remington’s novel did not reach the acclaim that Wister’s did, it was made into a Broadway play which gave him great pleasure.
Other Wister books illustrated by Remington include, “Lin McLean”, “Red Men and White” and “A Journey In Search of Christmas.” Wister’s “When West was West” does not have any illustrations on the inside but the dust jacket has a reproduction of Remington’s bronze “Bronco Buster”. Interesting note, on the inside flap of the dust jacket where Remington is given credit for the cover, his name is misspelled. A “k” is added to the end of his first name. This is actually not that uncommon as I have discovered in my years of collecting. Even the portfolio previously mentioned, “Done In the Open, has an edition has the same error. It was caught but not before many had been purchased putting a little more value on that edition.
One of the best books to get to better understand the Remington – Wister relationship is called “My dear Wister – The Frederic Remington – Owen Wister Letters.” What is great is that not only does the book contain many of Remington’s works but, copies of the letters he wrote to Wister complete with illustrations on them. Would love to get my hands on one of those letters.
Finally, before I sign off, some history on the Virginian. Besides the book, it was made into a stage play, several movies and the television series. The first movie was a silent, release in 1914. Then came the 1929 version with Gary Cooper and then 1946 starring Joel McCrea. The television series ran from 1962 thru 1971 and starred Doug McClure and James Drury. Finally, in 2000 a version was released starring Bill Pulman and Diane Lane with guest appearances by James Drury and Dennis Weaver.
Well, that’s all for now. Happy reading and if you have any questions, just let me know.
About Frederic Remington 