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October 11, 1951

Dear Arthur:

Herman Kopald has just posted me about your decision to re^[[scind]] the agreement we had reached a few months ago as regards the sale of some of your great paintings.

I spontaneously told him that this was perfectly all right as after all no question of a legal character could arise between you and me.

I also told him that in view of the fact that I was absent right along I had not been able to take any action and that thus no harm had been done.

However, you will allow me to say that I am a little surprised at such a radical change in your way of thinking, as the reasoning you brought forth for taking such steps hold good today as well as in May or June, when we had our conversation on this topic.

If I am making this comment is is simply because I find that conditions in the art world are of course perpetually changing and that the particularly opportune condition of the present for selling some of your paintings might no longer exist if and when you might wish to take such steps again.

Furthermore, it takes time as you know so well to sell very valuable paintings and such actions cannot be taken hurridly without being detrimental to the values obtainable. 

If I am writing in this vein it is because I know what a rational and logical mind you have, and though I can fully understand the emotional elements involved the true business angle of such matters has also to be considered.

Now that I have written you the above I would like to ask you to reconsider your decision as regards the Painting by Goya "The Bullfight" - the only painting about which I had spoken (without mentioning your name of course) and this party evidenced great interest in it. Not only does this put me in a strange light, if I am not able to show a painting to someone whose enthusiasm I worked up, as I had a right to do, butI actually feel I could dispose of it.

Furthermore, as it belongs in fact neither to the early paintings nor to the 19th century, and does not involve such a large amount, it might mean less to you than some of the others.

Your prompt answer in this respect would be much appreciated as as I said above, I will shortly be faced with this party and our business

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