Viewing page 93 of 133

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[preprinted]]
JOHN J. CUNNINGHAM
112 EAST FIFTY-FOURTH STREET
NEW YORK 22, NEW YORK
[[/preprinted]]

August 23d., 1955.

Dear Germain:

As I wired you last night, I found your letter of the 18th awaiting me when I arrived from the plane last evening and I was indeed very glad to hear from you and to observe that you had not succumbed to what O. Henry once called the "deadly lettuce leaf". In fact it is very evident that you have been very busy and that California has not seduced you to any great extent. I mean by that of course, that your eyes seem to be turned ever Eastward.

Let me start with your last item: On reading the draft of the chapter on "our friend" and his possessions, I came to the conclusion (or concurred with your own conclusion) that it (mentioning my name and part in the IVM) might work a disservice to our future planning....and so, I think it preferable to omit the mention. I have read and re-read the draft, trying to place myself in the armchair of a reader who has known nothing of the activities of your firm, or of our joint activities. Fascinating as the unfolding of the story of such a discovery, acquisition and eventual sale, must be, I found that even as  a detached (?) reader, there seemed an implicit criticism of H.S.H. (and perhaps his [[underlined]]late[[/underlined]] consort) running like a thread throughout the latter and major part of the script. Here again, for future planning, is it not possible that our personal indignation and resentment must be tempered or better still, suppressed entirely? It seems to me, without too much thought, that the episode should, [[underlined]]in the telling,[[/underlined]] radiate the warmest and most felicitous relationship with the principals (I refer to the double-dealers) and the highest admiration for their heaven-born qualities....their intelligence in rejecting all the [[underlined]]obvious[[/underlined]] dealers to choose you and your firm....their implicit trust in your judgement and integrity....you know - the build-up which works both ways and especially in favor of J.S. & Co. Surely, Rottier would expect nothing short of a paean [[underlined]](paean)[[/underlined]] of praise. (Suspicious of that word in this place, I've just looked it up and have decided that "war-song" is not too far off though the "triumph" motive is debatable.) At this point, let me hastily say that I know how hard it is to introduce a [[underlined]]current[[/underlined]] item into your story, while so many of the principal actors are very much alive. For this reason, let me postpone any further comment until we meet and until I have something concretely constructive to offer with my comment. I shall hold and study the draft, unless you wish it returned before Sept. 1st.

ROTTIER: I will return his letter of 30 July to you, as soon as I've gotten a translation... from a trustworthy source naturally. I have had no word from him regarding his planned visit to Switzerland and conferences with the German client. It is, I feel sure, yet too early to expect such a report.

CLEVELAND: I shall look up the Bulletin of June, 1955 and see what you refer to in regard to Wolfegg-Collection.

CRIVELLI: Mrs. E. is still Switzerland and Italy. Return not anticipated by housekeeper for some time.

GROS: I secured address in Denver of Mrs. Dixon, from Miss Smith and wrote [[underlined]]July 22,[[/underlined]] enclosing a stamped self-addressed envel'pe. To date no reply. She is divorced from Mr. Ira Dixon. As I used Gertrude Robinson-Smith's name (her closest friend) I am justified in expecting a reply...if she is alive.

GULBENKIAN: I will dig into this, my only information to date being that the Executors have made it very clear that the pictures