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Leo Castelli

11 October 1983

Bob Rauschenberg
Change, Inc.
381 Lafayette St.
New York, N.Y. 10003

Dear Bob,

Our friend, Fred Brandes, has had a terribly tragic accident. As you will remember, Fred was the person who, in a pinch, designed and constructed the frame for your large photograph shown at Greene Street. 

Fred is a painter who has shown works with several galleries in New York, (enclosed is a biography), and he makes his living by doing construction. While using the electric saw, he severed four fingers, two completely. Fortunately, his assistant was there at the time and able to drive him immediately to the hospital; and as this is being written, he is undergoing what will be a 20 hour operation to, if possible, reattach his four fingers. 

As you can imagine, an operation like this and subsequent hospitalization, as well as future physical therapy, is quite expensive and financially devastating to a person of limited means. Although a financial contribution will not lessen the traumatic psychological and physical effect of this accident it would, however, provide the reassurance that all that could be done, can be done. 

This is an emergency situation which requires immediate response. We will call you today to see if funds will be made available to him.

Thank you.

As ever, 

Leo 

Leo Castelli

420 West Broadway New York 10012 Telephone (212)431-5160