For your consideration is an Original and Scarce Signed James Kenneth Ralston Pen and Ink cartoon, advertisement drawings (3) for Snook Art Co. Billings, Montana, circa 1930-1940’s. J.K. Ralston (1896-1987), born in Choteau, Montana, was an accomplished painter of the Old American West whose primary topics were the American West and images of cowboys and American Indians; he also did commercial artwork. Ralston’s works are on display at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Western Heritage Center, the Montana Historical Society, and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument Museum. The National Park Service commissioned Ralston to render a depiction of the Battle of the Little Big Horn, easily one of his best and most famous works seen by thousands of people passing the Little Big Horn visitors center. Ralston was inducted by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum into the Hall of Great Westerners in 1978. Later he was inducted into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2012. Original JK Ralston Artwork is immensely collectible and valuable, with this being one of only four known cartoon advertisement pieces ever produced by his hand—a truly important piece of Montana’s History. The first drawing shows two men, one a cowboy the other a caricature of "Uncle Sam" atop a mule. Both are on a ridge overlooking the city of Billings, Montana. A sign / billboard is to their left, "Billings Flood Loss in 1937 $3,000,000". The cowboy asks, "Suppose it's another flood comin' uncle?", and the rider, with a question mark hovering above his hat, says, "Wonder what the city dads have done about it". In the distance dark storm clouds hover above the northern heights. Below the riders is the advertisement, "Get Your Home Under Cover With - PITTSBURGH PAINT PRODUCTS Sun Proof Paints - Waterspar Enamel - Wallhide - We Sell Glass For All Purposes - SNOOK ART CO. Billings". The second drawing features the same two characters from the previous drawing, a cowboy and Uncle Sam, astride their respective horse and mule. They're chasing wolves with names, "Recession", "Reds", and "Agitators". A running bull is named, "American Business". An eagle flying overhead says, "Fog Em Boys". A billboard on a tree is labeled, "$10,000 Reward for BIG NOSE NAZI". Below the scene is the advertisement, "Clean Up With - PITTSBURGH PAINT PRODUCTS WALLHIDE Waterspar Enamel And Sun Proof Paint SNOOK ART CO. The Art Show Place Of The Northwest Billings". The last drawing has the same characters, the cowboy and Uncle Sam, both up in a tree. The cowboy says, "Better Not Try Milkin' Her Yet Uncle". Immediately below is a bull named "Discontented Business". Behind the bull is a waiting wolf named, "Recession" who says,"Sweet Pickins They're Playin' Right Into My Mitt", a bird overhead says, "Try Cooperation Boys". Above the cowboy is a sign, "To Happy Valley Ranch School House" pointing towards a school building. The horse and mule are galloping towards the school with the horse saying, "We'll Lope Over Here And Sit Down". Below is the advertisement, "You are safe when you use PITTSBURGH PAINT PRODUCTS Put your men to work with these fine materials we sell glass and mirrors SNOOK ART CO. Billings". All three drawings are signed, "JK RALSTON". Professionally mounted in black coloured metal frames, the matted pen & ink drawings are in very nice condition. Two measure 11.25"W x 13.25"L, one is 11.25"W x 13.75"L, each is .75"D. Combined weight is 6lb, 8oz.