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May 10th., 1944.

Dear Mr. Brewster:

It was very nice indeed, to hear from you and I thank you for your very kind lines of May 7th.

I can fully understand your feelings towards the little BONNARD painting and how atta[[strikethrough]]ched ^[[racted]] you are to it. Unfortunately, as attached as I am to it, I have to look at it from a slightly different angle, and cannot raise my offer. I spontaneously mentioned that figure to Mrs. Brewster when it was my privilege to see her here, as I would have been very glad to own it.

To make my position perfectly clear, I must add that if paintings by Bonnard are rare and difficult to find, on the other hand, in spite of all the efforts I, among others, have personally made, they do not seem to be appreciated by the public at large, and there is a very small demand for them. This however, should in no way be considered as a reflection on the charming painting you have.

I am sorry, of course, about this outcome of our negotiations, but I feel certain you will understand my position as well as I can understand your's.

Asking you to be good enough to convey my respects to Mrs. Brewster,

Yours very sincerely,

(Germain Séligmann)

Walter D. Brewster, Esq.,
2704 Lake View Avenue,
Chicago, Ill.