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July 12th., 1944.

Dear Léger:

The mere name of Rouses Point makes me realize that you are in some quiet and restful part of the world, forgetting all about the tussle of city life. I am sorry therefore, to bother you about a business matter, but it would be unwise for either of us to postpone it.

I have been trying to interest a collector in your great "Plongeurs" painting. You will recall that the price you gave me on it is $5,000., and that my share would be one-third of this figure. We are faced today by a man who so far at least, seems highly interested in the painting, but he tells me that at present he cannot spend that amount of money. Though now I am unable to know which way the business will go, I am nevertheless under the impression that if we could sell it for Four Thousand Dollars ($4,000.) and give him time for payments, we [[underline]]might[[/underline]] be [[strikethrough]]able[[/strikethrough]]in a position to sell this picture. Will you therefore be good enough, by return mail (herein an envelope with a Special Delivery stamp) to let me know whether you would consent to part with this picture at that price - $4,000., - reserving, of course, the same interest for me.

You know how keen I am about this painting, and whether or not I sell it, my opinion will not change. Nevertheless, we know too, how difficult it is these days to find buyers for this type of painting -- so that the whole matter is really up to you. I personally am in favor of accepting $4,000., if we can get it, as, for one reason, this man lives in an entirely different part

t.s.v.p............