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8 Newlands Street
Chevy Chase, Md.

March 13, 1938.

Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc.
3 East 51st Street
New York City.

Gentlemen;

Attention Mr. Robert M. Levy.

I regret that I have not been able to reply more promptly to your letter of the 19th ultimo requesting the loan of the portrait of Sir Patrick Inglis, by Raeburn, for the Raeburn Exhibition for the benefit of the Adopt a Family Committee of the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor. 

Some years ago we had a competent man remove the heavy accumulation of dark varnish, but no touching up was done. Since then the picture has been kept varnished lightly. The Washington climate, with periods of great humidity, is not favorable to the proper care of pictures. A clear white varnish without excessive gloss, but with the elasticity necessary in this climate, should be used. As you may be aware, it is difficult to get satisfactory work done in Washington, While the picture is in excellent condition, it has been in storage for some months and before it is shown, or photographed, should be wiped down and should probably have a very light coast of clear varnish. Unfortunately the man whom I customarily employ for such work is not immediately available. We are willing to loan the picture for the exhibit, shipping the picture to you in it's present condition, on the understanding that no work is to be done on it without the prior consent of my sister, Mrs. L. Randolph Mason, #969 Park Avenue, New York City, telephone Butterfield 9-9703. I can ship by express within twenty-four hours after hearing from you that this arrangement will be satisfactory. It is understood that the picture will be kept in your possession at #3 Fast 51st Street, where I will arrange for ordinary all-risk insurance coverage, in the customary form.

My father bought the picture I believe in London prior to 1905. Since then it has not been shown in a public exhibit, as far as I can recall, and there has been no occasion to prepare a bibliography. I have no photographs. You are authorized to reproduce the picture for publicity purposes only. We had a new stretcher made, the old one being inadequate, but I have saved the old stretcher. Although the picture is owned jointly by my two sisters and myself, please list it, for exhibit purposes, in the name of my father, "James M. Johnston" (no Junior).

Yours very truly,
(James M. Johnston, Jr.)