Viewing page 2 of 6

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

                    RS/M
                          November 15th, 1933.

My dear Jo, 
     
      The bust of Mrs. Payson travelled on a smooth sea, and we landed safety in New York.

      I don't want to go any further before telling you, for future consumption, that had you put a value of less than $500. on the bust and stand, I would have had no trouble in walking off the dock with it; but anything of that type with a value over $500. has to be cleared through Public Stores.  Therefore, you  find with this letter a bill of $15.00, for expenses which were unavoidable.  

      Mrs. Payson wanted the bust in the country, so I drove out there, and after having tried three places in her living-room, I finally put it on the piano, with its back to the south-west corner of the room. I was very disappointed with the way the bust looked there because there are windows on all sides except one, and the room is flooded with light. So, when I went back to the city I had a long conversation with Mrs. Payson's secretary to whom I explained the whole situation - which she in turn explained to Mrs. Payson - with the result that it has been decided to put the bust in the library. I also persuaded the secretary that Mrs. Payson ought to spend a little money to have the bust placed at the right height of an adequate stand and also have adequate lighting provided for it - but the result of this advice will be the subject of my next letter to you. 

      I have done my best, and will continue so, for the placing of your busts, but in this present case I am having great trouble, because in both these rooms the artificial lighting consists of picture reflectors and a few lamps. The distribution of light is by no means ideal to show off sculpture. 


      I will suggest also to Mrs. Payson to have a terra-cotta bust of her husband made, to put as a "pendant" to hers in the library. That marvellous bronze bust you made of her husband is in the hall, and they think it is great. I don't know if you have seen it in place, but it gets the light practically full-face so that there is no shadow except from the nose. 

      May. I ask you to be kind enough to write me a letter to relieve us of all responsibility while the bust is in our hands. We have to do this because it isn't covered by our insurance policy, and inasmuch as I don't expect anything to happen either while the bust is here, being brought here, or delivered by me, still one never knows. 

                              (I hope you are..........)