Viewing page 87 of 102

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

December 2nd, 193[[?]]
^[[checkmark]]

Dear Mr. Clise,

Dr. Fuller's recent generosity in a gift of a sum for the construction of a new building for your Museum, brings Seattle immediately to the fore as a progressive art center in this country. Supplementing this, an exhibition, representative of all phases of the French Gothic period, has been organized with the greatest of care and no pains have been spared to gather together some of the finest examples that can be obtained anywhere.  It is now being shown at the Art Institute of Seattle and is of the highest standing and quality.

Of further interest is the fact that you have included one of the [[underlined]]rarest and most magnificent tapestries[[/underlined]] in existence, loaned by our Galleries.  It is of so fine a nature that, with the artistic activity which certain of the individuals of your city have manifested, I am bringing this piece to your attention for consideration [[underlined]]as a gift to the Museum[[/underlined]]. Perhaps I can emphasize the greatness of this tapestry if I were to tell you that should Seatlle acquire it, the Museum would immediately take its place not only among the [[underlined]]first rank of American Musuems[[/underlined]], but also would assume an aspect of [[underlined]]international[[/underlined]] importance.

It might be safely said that nothing in a long time has come up on the market which is [[underlined]]so rare and so fine[[/underlined]]. Of the period (1475), and of the same nature, it ranks with the famous SACKVILLE TAPESTRY from KNOLE CASTLE, given by Mr. Robert T. Paine to the BOSTON MUSEUM, the famous tapestry given by Miss K. Buckingham to the CHICAGO ART INSTITUTE, and finally the great tapestry now in the METROPOLITAN MUSEUM, which, through the perspicacity of the late Pierpont Morgan, was obtained from the HENSCHEL COLLECTION.

I am sending you under separate cover for your interest and perusal, a pamphlet containing a complete historical and documentary account of the Tapestry, as well as a photograph of same. May I urge you to visit the exhibition and see for yourself this great piece, and I am sure you will realize its true magnificence. 

......

^[[initials]]

Transcription Notes:
There is the mirror image of the end a letter by Robert Levy to Charles F. Clise visible at the top from the other side of the sheet.