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[[preprinted]]
PLEASE REPLY TO S. C. KAINES SMITH, STARETON HOUSE, STARETON, NR. KENILWORTH

THE COOK COLLECTION

TELEPHONE:
LEAMINGTON SPA 171

KEEPER: S. C. KAINES SMITH, M.B.E., M.A., F.S.A.

STATION:
LEAMINGTON SPA
[[/preprinted]]

November 28th, 1950

Dear Mr. Cunningham,

I have put off replying to your letter of October 16th until I had had an opportunity of seeing the cup about which I wrote you and of getting a second opinion on it; for I am very far from being an accepted authority on renaissance silverwork.

I have now seen the cup, and alas, though it is a very pretty thing, it is by no means a collector's piece, and is very far removed from any association with the great men of the Italian renaissance. I know as much myself, at a glance, but I recommended the owners to get the opinion of the Victoria and Albert Museum, which confirmed me up to the hilt - Austrian, mid-19th century (I had thought, French, but my date for it was the same - and the British Museum said, French, so I was not far out).

So that is that!

I have been looking out, among the collections that I have visited from time to time, for good French paintings that might be ready to slip their moorings from their present harbour, but so far I have seen nothing worthy of note.  The Dulwich College pictures are certainly not for sale.  I have not heard that Lord Derby is selling anything except a certain amount of land.  But things turn up in a surprisingly unexpected way - like you, I am a confirmed optimist.  How good of you to bear in mind the Missing Volume TWO!

With kindest regards,

^[[Yours sincerely
S.C. Kaines Smith]]

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