Viewing page 77 of 86

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

Rhode Island School of Design

May 4, 1976

Mr. Richard J. Maclaury
Pillsbury, Madison and Sutro
225 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94120

Dear Mr. Maclaury:

Thank you very much for your most kind letter. It just so happened that the day your letter arrived, I had just got off the phone to Alexandra assuring her that you really existed!! I called her back at once to tell her the good news.

I am very happy that you will be able to help me to recover my painting or its value price. I wonder if your inability to reach anyone at ADI gallery means that they are either closed or have been forced out of business due to too many "malpractice" suits. I would not be surprised. 

The person who seems to be the villian [[villain]] is a Mr. Stephen Fostor, who is in charge of the gallery. However, many other names are involved. The last letter that I received was from a Miss Kinoshita, dated February 4, 1976 (and enclosed). It prompted me to telephone ADI south only to be told that they did not have the painting, that it was still in San Francisco as far as they knew. I then telephoned Miss Kinoshita at ADI San Francisco. She said her letter to me was a mistake, that they did indeed have the painting there and would send it to me at once. It is now May-- no painting. The painting was valued at $1500 at the time it was shown at the gallery in 1974. I can ask and get $2000 for it now. If ADI sells the painting, they are entitled to 40% commission. 

Mr. MacLaury, please let me know what your fee would be to handle this matter for me. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible for you to find the time. However, I am off for a vacation for six weeks starting May 29 until July 12th. I shall try to telephone you soon in order to give you further details not contained in this letter. I am a school teacher, our term's almost over-- and I dearly need a rest!! Thus the six weeks.

Alexandra sends her regards to you.

Sincerely,

Robert Reid

P.S. Although I write this letter on school stationary, please send all mail to me at my New York address.

ENC.

RR/EM

Providence, Rhode Island 02903, telephone 401 331-3507