Viewing page 122 of 124

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

RW:KP

February 19th, 1932.

Dear Franklin:

This morning I received your delightful letter of February 15th, and your check in payment of the expenses I had with the wardrobe, the safe arrival of which I was delighted to learn. The bottle of bay-rum worried me especially, but at least I see that our packers could do very well in the clothing business should the art business fail to be profitable in the future.

I have just returned from a short stay at Lake Placid, where watching the Olympic Games was a "sun-ray" in the present dark depression. With sun and winter sports one is inclined to leave the rest of the world far behind.

New York is very dull and quiet, although the reports from Europe are even gloomier and more depressing, - at least one consolation. Your asking me to come out Westis very tempting and Lord only knows I have had it in the back of my mind now for years, but in my present state of finances the mere idea of such a journey is already utter extravagance. I believe I shall stay very tight to my home-fire - quite unwilling, needless to say, for, if the old Germans ever have been moving tribes, I certainly inherited quite a lot from my forefathers. So I suppose I shall have to satisfy my "wanderlust" with occasional week-end trips to Long Island or other beautiful neighboring places, until times have changed.

Raymond is back in Rome I hear, which you probably will learn from Templeton Crocker, who has just passed through New York enroute to California. Antoine Sala left for Palm Beach, where he probably will sing "O Solo Mio", as his wife remains in New York.

Otherwise my spare time has been more or less completely absorbed by the Swiss, German Olympic teams, which enlivened New York with their presence. To-night the last shipment of them leaves for abroad and life will go its usual way.

I probably shall not go to Paris as early as usual this coming Spring, so I may have a chance of seeing you when you get here in May. A real reason to celebrate, and how the sparks shall fly! However, let me hear from you before. A bit of California gossip is always very refreshing.

By the bye, I hear that although general conditions in California are not particularly good, a number of very important houses are being built out there and a number of people have been purchasing works of art. Don't you think there might be a possible chance that we could do some business together? I naturally do not want to interfere in any way with any arrangements you may have with your former