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February 17, 1958

My dear Captain Palmer,

It is indeed kind of you to have answered so promptly the request I addressed to Mr. Cleveland of the City Art Gallery of Manchester for a photograph of your "Annunciation" by Philippe de Champaigne and I hasten to thank you.

My inquiry was based on the existence in the Collection of Cardinal Fesch of a sketch for the large painting of the "Vision of Saint Joseph" by another representation of the Annunciation - and this particular sketch I have not been able to find in spite of my repeated and lengthy research.  Though your painting is evidently not the one I was looking for, I am truly happy to have the photograph and I do hope that some time with your permission, I may be able to admire it.

You are right in assuming that my firm was responsible for the recent acquisition of the Philippe de Champaigne "Vision of Saint Joseph" by the National Gallery and in accordance with your wish it gives me much pleasure to send you the enclosed photograph.  You will realize that this work of art being now in this great public institution, I no longer have the copyright to such reproductions and that it might not be quite ethical on my part to forward it, but your gesture calls for one in return.

Yours very sincerely,

Germain Seligman

Captain Eric C. Palmer
Clapton Revel
Wooburn Green
Bucks
England

[[handwritten]] Capt. Eric PALMER [[/handwritten]]