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Mrs Germain Seligman
8 May 1978
page 2 

Beyond the photographs, I am not certain what the "research files" entail. Does this consist of brochures on the paintings (and objects) or something else?

The only other thing that might be more appropriately kept with us rather than with the Archives are the "books" recording that purchase and sale of objects that passed through the firm. We are not interested in prices, but rather in the provenance. We have been putting onto microfilm the stock books of a number of firms and hope to build a kind of specialized archive here dealing with matters of provenance (a counterpart to a genealogical library). However, we could arrange to either make a microfilm copy for the Archives of American Art, or to make one for ourselves. 

Once I have heard from you, I would like to discuss with the officers of the Archives the logical way to proceed. If you and I are able to agree on a figure for the research files, I will simply submit it to the trustees, and I see no reason why this could not be settled by the end of June, as you suggest. 

Please give me your reaction and kindly let me know how I can help. I do not plan to be in New York until early July, but if it seemed necessary that I come in order to facilitate the negotiation, I would be glad to do so.

Sincerely
Burton B Fredericksen
Burton B Fredericksen
Curator of Paintings

BBF/cd