McGREW - START

THE SHOOTING OF DAN McGREW - START

December 21, 1999

Larry Bagnel is a Robert Service fan.

The 'Bard of the Yukon', Service was often called. He worked as a banker during the Klondike Goldrush of 1898 and wrote poetry. One of his most famous poems is entitled, "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." In the poem, a man, too long in the bush, comes to town. He visits the bar, drinks too much and gets into a fight with Dan McGrew. They proceed to shoot each other and as the man from the bush dies, his gold poke is taken by the "Lady known as Lou." All very mysterious!

Larry is the pres of the Robert Service Society and would like a token of the bard in the form of a statuette representing something of the abovementioned poem. It is to be done in mammoth ivory from the Klondike.

I have a nice piece of solid ivory (see pic) and am trying several poses and combinations of the characters to see if something can be done within the shape of the tusk as a single carved work. My son and two of his friends have agreed to help me with different poses. I'm looking forward to the process.

Till next time,

Shane

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