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March 26th, 1940

My dear Mrs. Harrison:

I was ever so sorry not to have had an opportunity to see you again before my departure, as I should have liked to mention to you a painting which we have here in New York and which I think ought to be of great interest to you.

However, by writing to you today from New York I have the advantage of being able to send you a photograph of it which will give you an idea of what the picture represents and why I thought it might be a most interesting addition to the group of paintings which you already own.

This picture is a work by Claude Monet and was painted by him in 1881; in other words, while he was still under the influence of Manet.  As you probably know, this is the period during which he painted the works most appreciated by collectors.  In color, tone and transparency, the picture is very similar to the Boudin you own, and these two pictures would greatly help one another and would look extremely well hanging in the same room.  They both represent, I believe, the Trouville Beach, but whereas the Boudin shows the beach seen from one side, the Monet represents a very similar view but taken from the hill directly behind; one is shown at high tide and the other at low tide.

I believe your Boudin is slightly larger, the Monet measuring 23-3/4 inches high by 28-3/4 inches wide.  If you think that this painting might be of interest to you, I would be very glad to send it to you to try in your house without any obligation on your part.  The price we are asking for it is $4,800 which is most reasonable for a Monet of that type.

May I tell you again how much I enjoyed the few moments I spent with you, and asking you to kindly remember me to Mr. Harrison,

Please believe me to be

Yours sincerely,

(René Seligmann)

Mrs. Maurice Harrison
2800 Scott Street
San Francisco, California