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August 26, 1954

Commissioner of Customs 
Bureau of Customs
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir, 

I am doing an article for Harper's Magazine entitled "Uncle Sam as an Art Expert," which deals with the role the U.S. Customs plays in art. The New York Appraiser's Office has been extremely cooperative. 

I am anxious to obtain atleast an approximate figure of what the annual revenue from the importation of works of art—obviously only those which are dutiable—is. If your figures are broken down, it would be interesting to know the amounts paid for paintings, sculptures and those items brought in "not specially provided for" under Paragraph 1547. Also, if the figures are broken down into customs' districts, it would be helpful to have these. 

I would appreciate having whatever information is easily available at your earliest convenience. As I am now writing in Michigan, I would appreciate receiving the material addressed to me at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. 

Thanking you in advance for cooperation, I am

Very truly yours, 

Aline B. Saarinen

Associate Art Critic

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