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Montreal
September 15th 1959.

Germain Seligmann, Esq.,
5 East 57th Street,
New York 22, N.Y. - U.S.A.

[[underline]] Confidential  [[/underline]]  

Dear Mr. Seligmann:

Receipt is gratefully acknowledged of your letter dated the 11th instant. I too was sorry not to have had the opportunity of speaking with you when in New York. You were recommended by the Metropolitan Museum, especially inasmuch as information relating to Baron Gros' works is concerned.  In fact, the only information I did obtain in New York was that Baron Gros' Marchall de Massena was selling at $9,000., and the general advice concerning transaction in New York and Paris.

For your information, the painting in question is that of the Countess d'Hanins de Moerkerke.  In 1811-1812 when Napoleon's campaign brought him into the Belgian vicinity, he retired to the Castle of Moerkerke, pursuant to which, on his return to Paris, he sent Baron Gros to make a Portrait of the Countess in recognition of hospitality received at Moerkerke.  To my knowledge, the painting remained there until my aunt sold the Castle slightly prior to the death of her late husband who had inherited the Moerkerke properties, my uncle, the late Baron de T'Serclaes de Wommersom. This painting together with countless others of the Dutch school and collections of objets d'art (plantin bible, malaguite fountain pertaining to the CZars of Russia, Audenaude Tapestries, etc.) were brought to Canada and are still at my aunt's home here.

As there are pourparlers presently going on between the Art Gallery of Toronto and my aunt on this particular painting, on her behalf, I am interested in confirming advice whether it would not be more advantageous, should she decide to transact, to do this in New York or Paris. It goes without saying, current prices in New York City for Baron Gros' works would be of interest. To date, based on color slides of this portrait, a tentative figure between $20,000. and $30,000. is being studied.

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