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RS/R
April 2nd, 1936

Dear Dr. Valentiner:
We have just been informed that the Gauguin painting, "Queen of the Areois", reproduced on Plate 25 of Robert Rey's book, could be had at a very attractive price, on account of the 'war scare' in Europe.

This picture which has all the deep rich tones of Gauguin at his best, and which is one of the five or six finest and most important works by the artist, measures 36" x 28-1/2", and could be had today for $38,000. This price including commission to us. We had this picture here for exhibition purposes two years ago, and the owners asked us to insure it for $55,000 and were refusing to sell it. I thought of letting you know immediately, as the few Gauguins we have heard about were priced at figures considerably higher than this one. 

We have recently acquired an extremely fine Renoir, a very important Fantin-Latour and a very fine Manet. I wrote all the details about them to Mr. Tannahhill a few days ago. I am sending them to you also as I am wondering if you would not be interested in the Fantin for the Museum. As you know, most of the good portraits by Fantin are in the Louvre Museum, and they are extremely rare. The Manet is a very attractive picture. I wrote about the Renoir to Mrs. Kanzler, as I think it would be an ideal picture for her. 

Are you planning to come to New York sometime soon? It would give me such pleasure to see you again. I am not sailing for Europe before June. 

With my kindest regards, and hoping these lines find you in good health,

Kindly believe me
Yours sincerely,
(René Seligmann)

Dr. W. R. Valentiner
Detroit Institute of Arts
Detroit, Michigan

P.S. The reproductions of the pictures do not do them justice at all.

Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-14 13:39:28 ---------- Reopened for Editing 2023-09-15 08:32:45 there is no such thing as[[flipped type]] [[handwritten checkmark]][[handwritten initials]] - please do not create your own rules