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February 26, 1954.

Dear Monsieur Rottier:

A very long time has elapsed since we have communicated with each other and if I feel that it is necessary today, to disturb you, realizing how busy you are, it is because the New York Season as far as the Art world is concerned, will be over shortly.  Further I gathered from Mr. Seligman that of necessity on account of some important matters, he probably will have to leave for Europe towards the end of April.

This you will realize brings about the necessity for us to know what the status of our agreement will be, as you will understand steps have to be taken accordingly. Let me here assure you at this point, that irrespective of the extension of our contract we will continue our best efforts to bring results and in fact, though I am reluctant to anticipate upon events, we may have I hope, one or two pleasing pieces of news to impart in connection with the collection of manuscripts.

But as so many steps in our business have to be planned ahead- and well ahead for that matter- the"unknown quantity" of the future weighs somewhat on our activities. Furthermore, if I recall correctly and have rightly interpreted our conversations, the postponement of action regarding extension of our agreement was based upon your desire for a certain period of time to elapse which, if I am right, expired in February of this year.

I am not asking you to commit yourself, knowing full well that you would wish to consult with His Serene Highness prior to making any statement.  However, I am wondering whether you personally favor such an extension of the agreement, since I am convinced that Monseigneur would not take any steps to which you would be against in your better judgement.  Thus, repeating myself, without commitment on your part, you could (as the diplomat that you are) hint to me the course you will recommend in this instance.

Should the decision be against the extension or the making of a new agreement, we will of course step out gracefully.  But let me say again that with all due respect to His Highness, one of the great mistakes he has made is to have had so many people involved in this most important affair. The Malraux article, the effects of which we meet at every turn, is one of the prominent examples.  And you will agree that those people have not had his best interests at heart.  The wide experience we both (Mr. S. an d I) have had in the handling of such valuable collections, gives us a better insight and understanding of the resultant troubles caused by these [[underlined]]initial steps.[[/underlined]]