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December 20, 1943

Dear Mr. Seligmann, 

Many thanks for your holiday greeting which came just now,- also the check for $12.00 Princess Gourielli is out of town till after Christmas. I have written her; also to Mr. Higgins, as follows. 

Yours very sincerely - Walter Pach

WALTER PACH
3 WASHINGTON SQUARE
NEW YORK 3, N. Y. 

Dear Mr. Higgins, 

I was a bit conscience-stricken over disturbing you a second time on Wednesday about the La Fresnaye, and I am, therefore, even more so about writing you now. But as I said then, I had to call my friend on the long distance telephone, and when he heard about the painting, it was he who urged my speaking to you about it a second time. 

Please don't think I am trying to play the "good brother" while making him out the "bad brother", but the truth is that it is again he who asks me to write these lines. This morning he has telephoned me of a very desirable picture he has been offered, (I know the painting, and it is indeed a fine thing); but he says that if he buys it, his available funds will be exhausted for some time ahead. I have for so long recommended him to have something by my friend, La Fresnaye, and he has himself liked so much the examples he has seen, that he is reluctant to take the plunge with the other picture before hearing the valuation you would put on your work. You will recall, also, that you were going to write me if the picture is signed and dated, since that does have some bearing on my friend's interest in it. For my own part - aside from my attachment to the artist - I think the portrait is just the thing for a man who can appreciate the beautiful things that never reach the price levels one meets with the more famous men whose production is considerable enough to make them widely known. Such is your extraordinary