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March 8th, 1956

Dear Mr. Watson:

Having just returned to town, I have at once taken up the matter of your letter of February 7th, but I am afraid with little success.

Two elements militate against my being able to be of help to you, as much as I would like to do so.

Namely, that the firm of Arnold Seligmann, at the head of which was Jean Seligmann and mine were two entirely separate and different entities.

Jean Seligmann, a first cousin of mine, was one of the first victims of the Nazis and in fact was shot by them in Paris. As a result of this the film was per-force liquidated, and I doubt that any one would be today in a position to locate any of that archives, were they still existing. On the other hand, my firm, though it had dealings with the Chester Beattys, did not sell as far as I can recall any chaise-longue, such as the one you describe. You will notice that I say "recall" because all of my Paris films documents were destroyed and burned during the last year. Further-more, the name of Burat leads to the firm Arnold-Jean Seligmann for I so know that they had a great interest in this collection. 

Though, as you will thus realize that I am unable to clarify this most interesting question you are discussing, however, just based on the information you impart, I come to the same conclusion as you do, namely, that the two identities must have been confused. 

Do feel at liberty to call upon me at any time, and asking you to be good enough to convey my regards to Mr. Robert Cecil, I remain,

Sincerely yours, 
Germain Seligman 

Francis J.B Watson, Esq.,
The Wallace Collection,
Manchester Square,
London W. l.
England 

TP