Viewing page 58 of 74

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

June 15, 1962

Dear Mr. Lynch-Staunton:

It was so pleasant to receive ehre your nice letter of June 8th. Let me tell you first how much I appreciate your comments referring to my book. I am indeed happy to know it kept you company on your trip to Rome and London.

As Mrs. T. D. Parker, my assistant, explained to you, I am unfortunately unable tohhelp you as regards the items about you wished to have my opinion in the Berwind sale. It would have been a pleasure to convey to you my impressions, you realize, had I been in New York.

Though the following comments would not have applied, I feel certain, to the Berwind sale, this being an old collection, allow me tossay that as a rule I am rather reluctant to make purchases at auctions, and this for several reasons. For example, in the majority of cases you have little opportunity to examine the condition of a work of art, our modern scientific methods not being available in the salesroom, of course, and thus one is sometimes unable to detect last minute restorations or "improvements." Also quite often the bidding is done against a reserve, and further, we can never be sure that the sale is not speculative one.

Be this as it may, however, do nothhesitate in the future to call upon me in case you should thing that I could be of help.

May I ask you to be good enough tocconvey my respects to Mrs. Lynch-Staunton, and with personal regards,

Yours very sincerely,

Germain Seligman

Victor Lynch-Staunton, Esq.
Clydagh
Nashville, Ontario