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[[preprinted]][[image: logo including sketch of sailing ship surrounded by words AMERICAN EXPORT[[/preprinted]]

En route Naples from Cannes
October 30, 1951

Dear Germain:

I am indeed relieved to be aboard and with my precious preachers safe in my closet. Everything went smoothly in Cannes and once again, I could have taken the Mona Lisa along with me without any interference. However [[you?]] will understand that for three days before sailing, from the moment I had them in my posession in fact until the moment the steward delivered them into my cabin, I was in a highly strained state of mind.......well that is over and now I hope that Lefebvre will have the proper Consular Invoice in your (Bemo's) hands when the ship sails in,although that holds no special terrors for me....the [[?]] there were my concern.

After passing my stuff through the do^[[a]]unes, I walked out into the street to await the arrival of the ship in the harbour. As always, my feet lead me in the direction of the antique and painting "department"...a few meters from the Gare Maritime.  The gentleman, [[strikethrough]][[?]][[/strikethrough]] [[underline]]^[[owner of the shop]][[/underline]]  a nice, sympathetic chap said...."I am so glad I just got back in time to let you in....have been over at the Gare M. on my work as expert for the Customs."  Alerted, I said ^[["]] are YOU the only expert who passes on paintings and furniture that is exported?^[["]]
Oh, yes, said he, I am called in for [[underline]]every[[/underline]] shipment. Well now, said I...I have had a Sisley offered to me by someone in Lyons, and I was afraid to try to take it out, as I understand they have to be passed and here I have met the very man who could have passed it. Yes, said he, whenever you have anything to export, just have it sent to my next door nabor, TRANSPORTS DURET, and let me know, and I will be called (the Douane will not know that I know you) and I will pass it. If you pay 500,000 just list it and I will say 150,000.  So from that pleasant start, it developed ^[[under my artful questioning]] that he had just been passing some Italian primitives for Mr Silberman of New York!!!  DID [[underline]]I[[/underline]] KNOW MR CARROLL CARSTAIRS?  Oh yes, great friends.....was a very great friend of this man ^[[(]]Gabriel Garcin Expert du Gouvernement près  les douanes Françaises et près les Tribunaux.^[[)]] In fact Carroll, etc etc...all of which will petrify you when you hear. Coincidence reaching out its long arm again. I certainly do run into amazing revelations. Any way, I have the photo with me of a Renoir nude, reproduced in la Renaissance Nos. [[underline]]10-11[[/underline]]...no date visible...reclining in a landscape, on a white cloth garment, full face to spectator (and Renoir)  H 58 L 69  privately owned and will not take less than 10,000,000. ^[[OWNER]] has refused firm offer of 8,500,00 from Paris dealer.

[[preprinted]] S.   S.  C O N S T I T U T I O N[[/preprinted]]

Transcription Notes:
Spells 'nabor' for 'neighbor'