The Franklin Mint Gallery of American Art

FRANKLIN CENTER, PENNSYLVANIA 19063

April 30, 1973

Dear Collector:

In the late 1800’s a struggling young artist by the name of Charles N. Russell traveled the Montana countryside painting pictures. If he was lucky, he got $25 apiece for them.

Recently a museum in the Southwest received an offer for one of the paintings in its collection --- a painting by the same Charles M. Russell. The offer was $230,000. The museum turned it down.

And just a few weeks ago, a gallery in Sedona, Arizona staged a one-man show of contemporary Western Art. Collectors were lined up when the doors opened. Within twenty minutes more than $75,000 worth of art was sold.

The increasing demand for Western Art is no mystery. There are good reasons for it. Western Art, more than any other, symbolizes the traditions of our American heritage. It recaptures the pioneering spirit many people have lost --- but now long for. In its realism, its honesty, it portrays the rugged individualism of American Life.

The Franklin Mint Gallery of American Art has obtained the exclusive right to issue a limited edition of signed prints of the ten award-winning paintings featured in the enclosed brochure. The Franklin Mint Gold Medal Portfolio of Western Art is a truly exceptional collection. One you can be proud to own and display.

It is important to note that these are signed prints. Each will be individually signed by the artist --- and that makes all the difference in the world. A signed print of a major work by a prominent artist is a significant work of art.

Because the term “print” itself is often misunderstood, a few words of explanation are in order. There is an important distinction between a fine print versus a piece of printing. Ordinary color printing utilizes just four colors. But in creating fine prints, the skilled printmaker uses as many colors as necessary --- often as many as ten or twelve --- to fully capture

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the rich tones, fine detail and subtle hues which the artist has so carefully blended in creating his work.

Fine prints have been treasured for centuries. Louis XIV of France was an avid print collector. So was Thomas Jefferson. And in our own time, Cornelius Vanderbilt and J. Pierpont Morgan assembled print collections which are now highly valued.

Like original paintings, prints frequently become increasingly valuable over the years. You are probably aware that original Currier & Ives prints, which originally sold for less than a dollarin the nineteenth century, are now commanding auction prices of as much as $5,000. Audubon bird prints sell for even more. And a signed print by Renoir recently brought $13,160.

This doesn’t mean that all prints will increase in value. Indeed, this is not the best reason to build a collection of fine prints. You should only purchase those prints which you truly admire.

The prints in The Franklin Mint Gold Medal Portfolio of Western Art are distinctive for several reasons. But three in particular:

1. They are prints of museum quality
2. They are exclusive limited editions
3. They are signed prints

MUSEUM QUALITY means that these prints will be produced by the Triton process --- the printmaking process preferred by leading museums because it captures the full tones of the original. Unlike ordinary lithographic reproductions, you won’t see the image broken up into a lot of small dots if you look at it under magnification.

EXCLUSIVE LIMITED EDITION means that the subscribers to this portfolio will possess the only signed prints of these works of art that will ever be produced.

What’s more, there will be no unsigned prints. Once the prints for the Gold Medal Portfolio have been made, the plates will be destroyed. Only smaller size reproductions will be permitted for books and other reference publications.

And, since the privilege of subscribing is being extended exclusively to a select group of collectors --- and only until May 15, 1973 --- the number of prints will be EXTREMELY LIMITED.

These are the true hallmarks of a fine collection. A collection you

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will want to share with your family and show to your friends. For it can be enjoyed by anyone who appreciates the beauty of fine art.

To get just an impression of the beauty of these paintings, look at the illustrations in the accompanying prospectus. Even though they are greatly reduced in size (the actual prints measure 22” x 30”), the great character of these works is evident.

The prints will be sent to you at the rate of one per month, beginning in June 1973. As part of your subscription, you will receive a magnificent library portfolio to protect and display the complete collection of ten signed prints.

Each print is separately matted in the portfolio. One of the great advantages of this arrangement is that you can hang any of the prints any time you wish… and you can easily alternate your collection on the wall of your home or office.

There is only one time you can acquire The Franklin Mint Gold Medal Portfolio of Western Art. That time is now. The very last date by which subscriptions may be placed is May 15, 1973. Any subscriptions postmarked after that date must, regretfully, be returned. I suggest you mail the enclosed subscription form as early as possible.

Please note that no advance payment is necessary. You will receive an invoice with each of the signed prints as they are sent to you on a monthly basis.

Sincerely,
Richard S. Hudgson
Managing Director

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