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[[preprinted]] MATTHIESEN LTD. F. MATTHIESEN. [[strikethrough]]K. E. MAISON. [[/strikethrough]] 142, NEW BOND STREET, W.1. MAYFAIR 5767/5751. [[/preprinted]] February 8th, 1955. Germain Seligman Esq., Messrs. Jacques Seligmann & Co. Inc., 5 East 57th Street, NEW YORK 22. Dear Mr. Seligman, Many thanks for your letter of January 21st and the Catalogue. I am going to see a client in the course of this month with whom I want to take up the question of the Arenberg prints, and I shall let you know as soon as I have news. A few days ago, I had lunching with me two Museum people who for obvious reasons have to remain anonymous and who, to my utter excitement, started a lively conversation about the Arenberg Vermeer. This was news to me, and I hope you will not think me indiscreet in mentioning this fact. However, we have a client who has been asking me for years whether I could not get him some of the Arenberg pictures, mentioning the Metsu and the Vermeer which he had seen before the 1914-18 War. This man is certainly very serious and capable of buying pictures of this importance. Perhaps you will think this matter over and let me know your reaction. Yes, I am fully aware that I blundered terribly in not coming over early last year, but there was force majeure. I was unable to travel and I assure you that this will not happen again as far as I can help it. With best regards, Yours sincerely, [[signature]]?? Matthiesen[[/signature]] F. Matthiesen ^[[Matthiesen]]