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Smithsonian Magazine |
900 Jefferson Drive, S.W. ` Washington, D.C. 20560 ` (202) 357-2600

Jacob Lawrence
4316 37th Avenue N.E.
Seattle WA 98105

16 June 87

Dear Mr. Lawrence:

How pleasant and rewarding it was to receive your good letter to Bob Wernick. We've forwarded it to him in Paris where he lives for half of the year or so, the rest of the year in Sea Island.

It is no small satisfaction to learn that you approve of our selection of your work to illustrate the article. Who, after all could know better?

There was a hidden hand guiding this story; mine. Some time in the fifties, when I was writing about art for the New York Post, I had the pleasure of writing a "Close-Up" on you, a pleasure which was recalled when I noticed it cited several times in the excellent book on your work published by the University of Washington Press. It was the book, sent here for review which made it clear that we should go ahead with the article. I asked Bob Wernick to write it and so it came to pass. 

I just want, after all these years, to say hello once more and to speed along my best wishes and personal thanks for all the good and beautiful work you have given this country and the world. 

All the best to you. 

Sincerely,

[[signature]]Bennett Schiff[[/signature]]
Bennett Schiff
Board of Editors

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, D.C.