Viewing page 6 of 174

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[Letter page 1]]

Copy for Mr Seligman 

John J. Cunningham
112 East 54th Street
New York 22, New York

November 14th 1953

Dear Colonel Stirling,

I returned to New York ten days ago and while awaiting a decision in regard to the Napoleon portrait, would like to write you my thoughts about the other pictures about which we have talked.

Of the several paintings discussed, it seems to me that the portrait of Pompeo Leoni and the sketch "Philip II adoring the Sacred Cypher" would be the logical ones which to commence. If you concur in this thought, would not the following suggestions seem in order?

Again assuming that the Board of Trade will permit the export...for exhibition...(whith the idea of selling in due time of course) the first thing to consider would be the insurance coverage. This insurance, carried in Lloyds for the past fifty years on all the paintings of my associate's firm at a very favorable rate, would be increased to cover your paintings while in transit and out of your possession, naming you as benefactor in the event of loss or damage, and the premiums therefor charged to you at his low rate.

Other possible expense chargeable against the paintings might be cleaning and shipping charges, research and photographing. It is my recollection that the Pompeo Leoni would be improved by a light cleaning while I recall the sketch as being quite brilliant. I know that the Christ carrying his Cross has been cleaned in recent years.

In accordance with your expressed views, and in agreement with them, I suggest that two years be allotted as a reasonable period for the unhurried presentation of the paintings to possible purchasers.

In the matter of selling prices, would you agree that the method we have employed with some others would be equally satisfactory to you? You would name the price at which a picture could be sold from which our commission of twenty (20) per cent would be deducted, to net you a figure which would satisfy you. While you would thus set this net figure to yourself, we would have the incentive to try to obtain a higher selling price, since the more you receive, the more our share would be. At the same time we would be in a position to accept without delays which might prejudice the sale, the minimums set by you.

In our last talk, we did not bring up the question of prices except in the case of the two manuscripts, but since many museums

[[/Letter page 1]]