Looking for artwork by Randy Steffen

[Elaine F Lee]

Cisco Junior College owns the research library and papers of deceased Western artist Randy Steffen, an illustrator, artist, sculptor, designer, former Hollywood stuntman, polo pony rancher and trainer, and cowboy. The College would like to have an art exhibit of his work in late 2009, but most of his pieces are held in private collections. I am looking for oils, sketches and bronzes. He was a prolific artist and received many accolades for his authentic portrayals of horsemen, horses, cavalry, and Native Americans, etc. His four volume work, Horse Soldier, is the cavalry re-enactor's bible. He graduated from the Naval Academy and served his country, illustrated books, including Roy Rogers and Gene Autry books and comic books, wrote magazine articles, owned and published an equine periodical and was a meticulous researcher for all his work. He received the American Exemplar Award from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, as has Tom Landry, Beverly Sills and Earl Hamner, Jr. to name a few. I am trying to locate any of his work or his family members. He was an amazing artist and renaissance man.

[calico_outlaw]

We use his art work in our displays of the Dragoons. They are wonderful. I think our's are just prints.

[Elaine F Lee]

Thanks for your reply, calico outlaw. I found five prints from his Valiant Confederate commission rolled up in our safe. They had been there more than 25 years, but are in good shape. They are being framed now, but I would really like to find the originals and have been unable to do so. I am still looking. I have met some incredible people and found some incredible work of his and some friends of his who actually worked with him to help hang decorative pieces.

The Fort Griffin Memorial Regiment will be on our campus the middle of October as a part of our celebration. I am looking forward to that and to our event. Thanks again for your reply.

[Clay Lord]

Can you tell me if Steffen's picture of a "Crescent Regiment Soldier" is in your five prints from the Valiant Confederate commission? I am researching that regiment and have been unable to find a good copy of that print. My email is [e-mail]

[Elaine F Lee]

The print "Sergeant, Louisiana Crescent Regiment" is one of the six Valiant Confederate set. I can send a black and white (by snail mail) photocopy of the six prints. Not great, but our art prints are at a framer's being preserved and framed. I can later send a digital photo of that when it is returned.

I am raising funds to preserve the set of six. The two largest ones, General Fightin' Joe Wheeler, Chief of Cavalry, Army of Tennessee and Terry's Texas Rangers (8th Texas Cavalry Regiment) Battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862 have sponsors at this point. They are the largest and most costly so I am glad to have gotten sponsors for their preservation. I can find no evidence that the set of oils is still intact, and in fact, believe it was split apart and sold individually when the First National Bank of Tuscumbia, Alabama sold in 1985.

Let me know if you would like a b & w photocopy. It is from an old order form from Hill College Press, Hillsboro TX. It is possible somewhere there in a safe there are prints still remaining. You might give it a try, the website is www.hillcollege.edu and the phone number is listed at the bottom of the page. Use the one for Hill College Hill County, with a 254 area code.

[Clay Lord]

Hi Elaine,

Thanks for the information. Hill College did still have some of the prints and I have ordered one. Unfortunately they have no idea of who holds the original either. I suppose that person would be the only one capable of granting rights to publish a copy in a book? Thanks again for your help and if you run across who owns the original I would appreciate the information.

[Clay Lord]

Elaine,

I forgot to mention that I have an email address for Randy's daughter, Donna English. She has been very helpful. If you need it, email me at [e-mail] and I will forward it.

Clay

[Elaine F Lee]

Thank you very much for your e-mail. I have been in contact with Donna.

It may be possible to find out about the Print. First National Bank of Tuscumbia became Colonial Bank and is still Colonial Bank. I have been unable to get any information, whatsoever, from them. I have made several attempts. However, you might be able to do so. I was inquiring about the set, but you may be able to find something out either from the Bank or the Tuscumbia Historical Society. It is possible they could know, or even own them. Have you checked with the Sons or Daughters of the Confederacy? It's possible. I have a number for the bank, it is 256-389-2575. I also have a name -- Reba Darby. If YOU find anything, will you please let me know?

Incidentally, would the Crescent Regiment be interested in sponsoring the framing and preservation of that particular print for the College? We have sponsors for several, but not that one. Also, several sponsors have chosen to do that as a memorial to ancestors or others who served in the military. We can include that information.

The reason I think the set was split is that a Steffen collector told me about the sale of a single piece of the set fetching a handsome price the last time it was sold.

Glad Hill College could help you with a print. Please keep in touch. It's possible I have names of others who could help you.

Elaine

[Clay Lord]

Unfortunately there is no organization for the Crescent Regiment yet. There are some individuals I can contact to see if they are interested in sponsoring the preservation. I would need to have an idea of the cost. It's certainly a worthy project.

[Elaine F Lee]

I hope you are able to form a group. We have the Fort Griffin Memorial Regiment coming to campus October 17 as another part of our Randy Steffen celebration. They are an artillery group and I look forward to that.

I had just returned from picking up office mail and the invoice for the Crescent Regiment Steffen print, and the other Valiant Confederates set, was in the mail. I can tell you exactly. It is $183.60. The framer offered a 15% discount because I have used her personally in the past, and that cost reflects the discount. All of the prints will be framed alike since the originals were a commissioned set. She is located in Dallas and I can give you her name if you would like to verify the figure.

Thank you for your consideration. You or your group will certainly be credited in our event brochure.

If you want to check out the College, the website is www.cisco.edu. Good luck in your Steffen quests.

Thanks again,
Elaine

[P. Edwards]

I have 2 prints by Randy Steffen that I would like to sell if you are interested in purchasing them.

1. Red Horse, Blackfoot Sioux - framed, signed & numbered (#1083 of 1500)
2. American Horse, , Oglala Sioux - framed, signed & numbered (#1083 of 1500)

Please contact me at my email address - [e-mail] if you are interested in these.

Thanks

[C. Craig Stewart]

I have a pencil drawing-original from Mr. Steffen to my parents, Troy and Madeline Stewart of Cisco (both deceased) that was given to them with a personal message in 1971. Just interested in its history, value, etc..... It is a cowboy on horseback.....

C Stewart
Bozeman Montana

[Elaine F Lee]

Pam Campbell of the William Campbell Galleries in Fort Worth, TX might be able to help you. Their Gallery has sold some of Randy's pieces in the past, including one to President and Mrs. Bush who have it at their Crawford Ranch. President and Mrs. Bush allowed Cisco College to use their piece in our recent "Steffen Sampler" celebration event at the Old Jail Art Center in Albany, TX. I spoke with Ms. Campbell and she is a registered appraiser, additionally. I can give you a telephone number. Done in 1971, your drawing was done near the time that Randy was commissioned by the American Quarter Horse Association in Amarillo to do a 4-piece commission on the versatility of the American Quarter Horse. They are beautiful pieces focused entirely on the horse, not the rider.

Let me know if you need the phone number for Pam Campbell. She would be your best resource.
You would probably have to ship the piece to her for her to do more than give an answer to a general question or two. Good luck with your inquiry.

E Lee
Cisco College
Executive Assistant