Viewing page 16 of 42

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

June 18th, 1942
Dear Valentine:

I am gradually becoming business-minded again, especially these last few days when I am obliged to spend more time at the office due to a very unexpected appendicitis operation performed on Germain Seligmann.

In going over all sorts of notes, I have come across your beloved "bluffton-Providence" which in spite of its tremendous production and wealth has been most unproductive for me, and I cannot help thinking that something must be fundamentally wrong in the way of our approach and business tactics. I know for certain that competitor firms such as Knoedler and Carroll Carstairs have recently done considerable business in your town. They were probably more stern and definite in conducting their business prospects. It really seems a pity that my competitors should take off the gravy after all the efforts we have made especially with your kind assistance.

For instance, a year ago you drew my attention to Mr. Rathborn Willard who you told me is extremely interested in art and buying pictures, but nothing ever happened in a whole year. You most likely will tell me that it is not the right moment and people are not in the buying mood. To this I can contradict you as the house of Knoedler has recently closed a business deal for over a million dollars, and two of the Stotesbury pictures were sold within the last few months, one for $65,000. and the other for $120,000. Gimbel Brothers reported to the Mackay Estate sales for the last month totalling almost $60,000. These are only a few pointers but they show that business is actually being done and that people are buying. Rich people or people interested in art never like it to be known that they might be in the market for fear of a rise in prices, and it has been my experience many times that a client of mine came to see me with no intention whatsoever of buying anything and left me having made a purchase because he found just exactly what he had been looking for for years.

I am giving you these details so that you can kindly give them a thought, especially in connection with your friends the Metcalfs, Sharpes and Mr. Willard. For over two years we have been manipulating around these people with no success and I wonder whether a straight approach wouldn't be the best thing because I see hardly any difference in coming out clean with a straight-forward business proposition or pussyfooting around with people ad infinitum.

t.s.v.p.