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September 26, 1969

Dear Mrs. Vertova:

It is already so long ago, that you may not recall my having had the privilege of meeting you in New York, when I believe you were going over some of Mr. Berenson's notations.

In fact, last Spring, my wife and I had the intention of going to Florence, and our mutual friend, Henry Francis, urged me not to fail to call upon you, and it is to him that I am indebted for your address.  Unfortunately, due to ill health we were unable to carry out those plans, and I was thus deprived of the pleasure of renewing our acquaintance.

If I am taking the liberty of writing now it is because I noticed recently that you had re-published B.B.'s CENTRAL AND NORTH ITALIAN PAINTINGS, and I am wondering [shether] you are also planning to re-publish his work on VENETIAN PAINTINGS.

As evidenced by a lengthy correspondence I had both with Mr. Berenson and Miss Nicky Mariano as to how it came about, unfortunately a portrait I have owned for a long time, by Giovanni BELLINI, was omitted from the first edition of the latter book, due to documention having been mislaid. In explaining this occurence with regret Miss Mariano wrote of her expectation to have this painting included in a revised edition.  Of course, that correspondence is at your disposal and I would gladly forward copies of the same to you.

Knowing the art world as you do, it is not necessary that I delve further into the importance such a publication would have for me and may I express the hope that you will not mind my writing in this vein.

Thanking you in advance for your kind reply, and with best personal greetings,

Sincerely yours,

Germain Seligman

Mrs. Luisa Vertova
Via Laura, 70
Florence

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