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RARE 3 Page Sgnd Letter Luis B Ortega 1943
(Item: SOLD 290)
Rare original 3 page 8 1/2 by 11 inch letter from Luis B. Ortega to Louis Cherbeneau regarding a dispute between Cherbeneau and Ortega over some of his colloquial usages published in an article in The Western Horseman Magazine. Cherbeneau thought that Ortega had plagiarized sayings from Will James Book All In a Days Ride. Ortega responds by saying "..If I was to do any copying I certainly wouldn't take it down word for word." And continues by describing his early buckaroo days and friendship with Will James and J.J. Mitchell while they all resided in Santa Barbara California. "I remember how James used to sit there talking to us as he sketched out a Western scene so unconcerned." Ortega continues that "when a mutual group like has been together for some time and some of them turn out to be western artists or writers there is bound to be a similarity in their work." This article is full of sarcasm about the newer generations of cowboys and how they are not a credit to the profession; Sarcasm obviously directed at Cherbeneau. Never-the-less the article is full of Ortega's defences for his colloquial usages and is full of his recollections of the early cowboy days on the range.
Luis B. Ortega besides being a relatively prolific writer was most famous for his braided rawhide ropes, reatas and lariats made in the old California Vaquero tradition. Luis B. Ortega is perhaps the most famous of these rawhide braiders and a large figure amongst other 20th century cowboys, western writers and craftsmen. Hand signed Luis B. Ortega in blue pen. VG condition with light yellowing to pages. Ex-collection Lou Cherbeneau amateur historian and saddlemaker.
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