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WJ:KP

October 21st, 1932.

George Blumenthal, Esq.,
50 East 70th Street,
New York City.

Dear Sir:

In reference to the works of art, such as snuff boxes, gold boxes, and similar objects which you recently requested us to have forwarded to you from Paris, we have taken up the matter of their free entry into this country with our brokers, Messrs. Hirshbach & Smith, Inc.

Enclosed herewith please find copy of their letter of October 18th, and attached thereto copy of Treasury Decision #45519, covering Paragraph 1811, Tariff Act of 1930. It appears that artistic antiquities may be liable to pay duties on cost price, if the Customs Court should decide so. Any American manufacturer, producer, or wholesaler may file a protest against letting come in free any object which might be used for personal adornment or other utilitarian uses, although the objects are antiques.

The possibilities of such a protest being sustained are considered quite remote, but in order to obtain a clear entry without any difficulties, we have again taken the matter up with Mr. Sam Stern of Hirshbach & Smith, and after a discussion he finds that the best way to bring said objects in may be to import them as personal effects in use for over one year, and bringing them yourself when you return the next time to this country. In that case the objects would be cleared on the dock with the help of our brokers and no protest could be filed thereafter. This, of course, is a matter which would have to suit your convenience.

This whole matter of being exposed to a protest seems to be only a slight possibility, but never-the-less might be causing you some inconvenience, if not payment of duties which we wish to avoid.

We shall be glad to send our Secretary to you, to go further into this matter at your appointment.

We have written to our Paris firm not to make this shipment as requested in the previous mail, until they hear further from us about your definite instructions.

Very truly yours,

JACQUES SELIGMANN & COMPANY, Inc.