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New York 22, N.Y.

December 28, 1961

Dear Mr. Cecil,

You will probably doubt it - but at the same time I am mailing you this note, I am forwarding to you by ship "registered" the inventory of the Paris-Wallace Collection which in my book I refer to as the "Wallace-Bagatelle" one.

I do hope you will not mind the soiled look of these sheets, for you will bear in mind that they have been used for working purposes in order to trace the different items, as far as possible. In view of this, do not give weight to any of the names or comments you will find facing some of these listings. In some cases they may indicate the correct name of the purchaser; in others, they were just "hopes" or crosschecks. I could of course have tried to erase these notations, but I am loathe to do so lest I might spoil the document.

On the other hand, by turning over to you this inventory, you will understand that I assume no responsibility as to its genuineness or/and inclusiveness - though, obviously, in view of its semi-official character, personally,I have no doubt that this is a copy of the original - as stated at the top of the first page.

In my book which will be out some time in February - and in which I am happy to give credit to your personal kind help - you will find a list giving the whereabout of the most important items of this famous collection - which is as close as we could come to completing such an under-taking today.

Will you be good enough to remember me to Mr. Francis Watson, and with the Season's Best Greetings, and personal regards, I remain

Sincerely yours,

Germain Seligman

- Robert A. Cecil, Esq.
The Wallace Collection
Manchester Square
London W.I.
England