"Redgate" Shelburne Falls, Mass. March 20th, 1922

My dear Mr. Miller- From your letter received today I am pleased and honored that Mr. Smith should make inquiries about my 40/50 at the Art League. It is rather difficult for me to come to any decision that is definite about price reduction on it, but since I so keenly appreciate the honor of being included in Mr. Smith collection, and since it would be such an unusual asset to have no less than three of my paintings before the public in one permanent exhibition as noteworthy as your Springfield gallery. In case he should consider definite purchase, it would be worthwhile to sacrifice financially.

The picture in question is by far the finest I have ever painted, time, effort, intense emotion have been poured into it until it seemed to have reached a pitch I've never before realized. Such noted painters as Mr. Symons, Mr. Sotter, and Walter Palmer, who have seen it here in Redgate have been unstinted in their praise, and when it hung last spring in a most honored place in the Vanderbilt Gallery at the National Academy it brought me letters of great praise from such men as Chauncey F. Ryder, Jonas Lie, etc. so far in my career it has been my most loved canvas. I feel sure of its entry into any exhibition and I've grown to think of it as a trump card for the immediate future. For this reason it would be most difficult to give it up just at present--yet of course, as I have just said, the possibility of giving it up to be hung in such a splendid setting would be worth sacrifice. Except to a museum or public gallery I cannot think of letting it go for less than its marked price of $1200.00. I think there is no question in the world but what in a few years, when the name of Woodward has made its mark it will be worth several thousand. It is a solid thing which will last. This all sounds very much like blowing my own horn, yet in truth it is not exactly that, but more the echo of other horns! In this one case I am certain.

It seems as if the painting should be worth in actual value at least $750.00, which is 'knocking off' almost $500.00 for the honor of having it in Mr. Smith's collection. This rathers frightens me, and I fear that overnight I will regret it--but of course if I once state ' 'tis irrevocable. Being in great financial straits at present, at the same time being in need of several big supplies such as a new wheelchair, hay, paint supplies etc. Mr. Smith might...