Charles M. Russell “Last of the Herd”

1909 Brown & Bigelow Framed Lithograph | Early Western Americana Print

The Piece

A 1909 color lithograph reproduction of “Last of the Herd” by Charles M. Russell, published by Brown & Bigelow of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dated within the printed material and bearing the Brown & Bigelow promotional designation (“Greeting Tipon 47”), this example represents an early commercial distribution of Russell’s Western imagery during his lifetime.

The composition captures Russell’s iconic buffalo scene: tension, motion, dust, fading light — the mythology of the American frontier at full emotional weight.

The lithograph retains strong color depth and textured surface typical of early 20th-century commercial stone lithography.

Housed in what appears to be its period Western-style frame featuring:

• Dark stained wood construction

• Applied twig and arrow motif

• Cast metal arrowhead applique

• Decorative beaded trim across the lower rail

The presentation is fully aligned with 1905–1915 Western revival aesthetics.

Historical Context

Charles Marion Russell

Charles M. Russell (1864–1926) was the defining painter of the American West. By 1909, Russell was already nationally recognized, and his imagery was being widely licensed for commercial reproduction.

Brown & Bigelow

Brown & Bigelow, founded in the late 19th century, became one of the largest producers of promotional art in the United States. In the early 1900s, they issued Russell reproductions as corporate presentation pieces — often framed and distributed as client gifts.

The printed notation:

“With the compliments of Brown & Bigelow – Greeting Tipon 47”

indicates this was issued as a formal promotional edition in 1909.

This places the print firmly within Russell’s lifetime and during the height of early Western commercial art circulation.

Product Details

Condition + Notes

The Russell signature within the image is printed, not hand-signed.

This is a commercial 1909 lithographic reproduction, not an original oil painting or limited fine art edition.

The frame shows honest surface wear consistent with early 20th-century construction, and decorative appliques remain intact.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

Because 1909 Western commercial art hits differently than modern “Western décor.”

This is:

• Period-authentic

• Issued during Russell’s lifetime

• Historically aligned with early American advertising culture

• Visually powerful and compositionally strong

It belongs in:

• Ranch houses

• Historic cabins

• Arts & Crafts interiors

• Western-inspired studies

• Collected Americana walls

From Viridian Eclection

We don’t pretend commercial pieces are originals. We value them for what they are: artifacts of cultural distribution.

This 1909 Brown & Bigelow lithograph is a surviving example of how the American West was packaged, circulated, and preserved in early 20th-century America.

Honest. Historic. Enduring.