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January 18th, 1944.

Dear Mrs. Brewster:

It was such a relief to me to receive your so very charming letter of January 13th., as I was afraid that I had upset you.

Now, as regards that little BONNARD, I would be very glad as I told you and wrote, to own it, but you put me in a very embarrassing position in asking me to make you an offer, as after all a work of art has a "cote d'amour" for each one of us, which is so difficult to put into terms of Dollars and Cents. Why not reverse your proposition when you write "I will take (your offer) into consideration and decide whether I rather have the picture or the money" and tell me what sum of money would compensate you for the loss of the painting? Your cost price also might come very much into consideration - you may have paid very little, or on the contrary, a great deal. If it can in any way help you to make up you mind, may I indicate that in the Crowninshield auction there were two oil paintings by Bonnard, one (No. 84) which I would say is roughly the size of the one in your dining room but less attractive (it measures 26" h. x 42-1/2" w.) brought $4100., and on the other hand I bought the great "Nude" (No. 201) which I have always been so keen about, for $2,000. - which I will admit is a very small price for this great painting. The latter's dimensions are 53-1/2" h. x 27-1/2" w.

Whatever may be the outcome of these lengthy negotiations


t.s.v.p.........