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January 30th., 1948

Dear Sir: 

It was very nice of you indeed to have answered my letter so very promptly, and I thank you for your lines of January 25th. I am glad to read that you may come to New York within the next two months; we can then have an opportunity of renewing our acquaintence. 

I am very much interested in your comments, and as regards the Swiss artists, we have opportunities from time to time to purchase such works in New York. One of the difficulties, however, resides in the fact that, I will admit, I have but a limited idea of their corresponding selling prices in Switzerland. 

Now, as regards the French 19th., Century paintings, it just so happens that I have at present two Delacroixs, one a very beautiful oil representing a "Tiger and Tuille" which is a very complete painting, and a water-color which is acknowledged as the most important water-color ever carried out by this artist.

I also own two Corots. One the following page are the Robaut references, as long as you tell me that you have such books in your possession. You will notice that one of them is a very early one, and of that period which is particularly appreciated these days in the United States. However, the reproductions are so small that I find it better to supplement them with photographs, as unsatisfactory as they are also in giving a true indication of the quality, condition, and, of course, color of the paintings. Opposite the descriptions you will find our selling prices in dollars. I would be much obliged to you for returning the photographs to me when you are no longer in need of them.

I notice in your last paragraph that you advocate an exchange instead of an outright payment. I have in principle no objection to an exchange, as you may have paintings which would be of great interest to me, but isn't it possible for a Swiss resident to deposit money in a Swiss bank to the credit of an American, and for the American to make use of these funds to purchase items in Switzerland with the purpose of exporting them to America?

I will be interested to have your reaction to these first business propositions before proceeding with anything further.

Yours very sincerely, 

(Germain Seligman)

Dr. Fritz Nathan
Rorschacherstrasse 25
St. Gallen
Switzerland


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