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September 5th, 1956 My dear Dr. Schilling: With the approaching autumn I assume that you are back in London, and I am taking the liberty of writing to inquire whether you have had an opportunity of talking to Mr. Mathey. You will recall that in the course of the conversation it was my pleasure of having with you in Mr. Bryan Shaw's office, I called your attention to the importance for me of Mr. Jacques Mathey's written opinion as regards the small WATTEAU panel formerly yours. You thought it would be wiser,and I fully agreed with you, not to write to him but await an opportunity for you to meet him in the course of the summer months. However, yould [[would]] you not have been able to see him, and not expect to have such an occasion in the near future, would you not consider it necessary now to write him? May I remind you of the necessity - for reasons I then explained to you - not to mention my name to Mr. Mathey . I would of course prefer an article which, if I recall correctly, you thought Mr. Mathey had originally contemplated, and in which our little panel would be reproduced and mentioned. However, pending the publication of such an article it would be wiser I think to obtain right now from him a written confirmation of his opinion in the form of the "ususal certificate". It would be perfectly agreeable to me, and as especial incentive and as I imparted to you, to send you a check which would allow you to offer an honorarium to Mathey. From rumours, I understand that such a gesture would prompt him into action, thus, do not hesitate to offer it to him should you be in favor of it. As you know, Mr. K. T. Parker fully agrees with the attribution to WATTEAU and this information - should it not already be known to Mr. Mathey - would also I assume help him make up his mind into writing. I do hope you will excuse the liberty I take in writing you in this vein, and imposing upon your time, but the blame - if I may say so - is part due to our poor dear friend Albert de Burlet, who at the time of my purchase promised me such a document from Jacques Mathey. Thanking you in advance for your kind answer, and with personal regards, Sincerely yours, Germain Seligman Dr. E. Schilling, 69 High View Garden, Edgeware, Middlesex, England T.S.V.P. TP [[right margin]] SCHILLING [[/right margin]]
