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5372 

March 8, 1960

re Robert Leylan's visit

I had, yesterday, Robert Leylan's visit who referred anew to the matter that Duits of London had taken up with me several times during the last few years, namely, whether the two portraits "Young Boy" and "Young Girl" by HALL purchased[[strikethrough]][[?]][[/strikethrough]] by me from Frank T. Sabin in the twenties, could be purchased, and at what price.

These are the two portraits which had been purchased by George Blumenthal and now the property of Mrs. Ralph K. ROBERTSON. This information, of course, I gave neither to Duits nor Bob Leylan. I had told Duits that the present owners being very fond of their portraits and very rich indeed, it made no sense to approach them unless I would have a f[[strikethrough]] [[?]] [[/strikethrough]]irm offer of at least - if I recall correctly  - $3 [[strikethrough]] 5 [[/strikethrough]]0,000. I had, namely, gone to see Mrs. Robertson several years ago and she implied that, being very fond of those two paintings which I saw hanging in a small room, she did no intend parting with the two paintings which I saw hanging in a small room, she did not intend parting with them.  In fact, she was considering presenting them to the Metropolitan.

I told this to Bob Leylan without mentioning any names, and that, in view of this, I told him that unless I was faced with a definite offer of $40,000 to $50,000 I would not want to bother the present owners.

A point of interest is that, whereas Duits had inferred that the collector interested in the purchase of the two paintings was American, Bob told me that he was a Swede whom he had met in London a short while ago.  He is to communicate with this party though he doubts very much that at such figure he would be interested.


filed under 
Chusters 
Duits 
Blumenthal 
Leylan