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October 17th., 1947

Dear Dr. Martin: 
It was indeed a pleasant surprise a couple of days ago to receive the two catalogues, "Ausstellung im Augustiner Museum, Freiburg, June -- September, '46", and "Peintures et Sculptures du Moyen-age, Baden-Baden, '47". 

Though they arrived without any indication of the name of the sender, I immediately remembered our so very pleasant evening, and the kind promise you made then of forwarding to me such reference books. Hence my conclusion that I am indebted to you for such interesting documentation. 

I have already ordered a handbook of the paintings in the National Gallery - Washington, and as I recall how you too were eager for such useful material, it will be sent on to you as soon as I receive it. 

However, the ransom for your kindness is that I am taking the liberty of asking you to give me a little more of your time, and trust you will not think I am taking advantage of your goodness of heart. 

As you may know, while my wife and I were in Switzerland, we tried to obtain certain photographs, of which we were successful with only a few. 

For instance, of the "Meister Des Merienlebens" we have the "Crucifixion" and "The Death of the Virgin", but we are most anxious to have the other three panels of "Joachim and Anna", "The Annunciation", and "The Visitation". 

Also, by the "Meister of the Sterzingeraltar" we could not get the "Ride of the Maggis" nor "The Entombment", which I understand is painted on the back. 

In connection with this, I would like to have your opinion as to whether you consider "The Death of the Virgin" and the "Ride of the  Maggis", to have been painted for the same altar. The latter is a great deal more under the Italian influence, whereas, "The Death of the Virgin" reveals a more northern trend. 

My wife and I are at present writing an article connected with the beautiful exhibitions we saw this summer, and your opinion would much oblige us. 

Returning to the matter of photographs, do you think it would be possible to obtain one of each of the following paintings: "Vision of St. Ursula" by the "St. Severin Master" of the Cologne Museum; "The Death of the Virgin", described as "rhine supereur souabe", Ca. 1490, No. 11 of the Baden-Baden catalogue. It looks like such a superb painting, but the photograph in the catalogue just makes one feel eager to look at a larger