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RICHARD S DAVIS
WAYZATA 5, MINNESOTA

In fact, I have come to the conclusion that it is a made up piece, with various elements taken from Gericault.  I may be completely wrong, but under the circumstances, I think the best thing to do is to return the work to you at once because, as I have said, I have lost confidence in the attribution.

I would have thought that the provenance of the watercolor would be sufficient assurance of its authenticity.  However, I find that the Louvre has an important painting from the Percy Moore-Turner Collection which their curators have now questioned.  Although I have mentioned the provenance of the watercolor to several of our mutual acquaintances in the museum world, I do not believe, as far as I can recall, that I have mentioned you or your firm.  Therefore, I leave the matter completely to your judgement.

I can assure you that I am disappointed as you are probably shocked.  I feel especially sad since I have already sold my small watercolor.  All I can hope is that you can offer me another or a similar work, for I would like to have a fine example.  If we cannot find one, perhaps you can offer me an outstanding  drawing or watercolor by another painter so that I will not have sold my small watercolor by Gericault in vain.

Sincerely,
Dick

Mr. Germain Seligman
Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc.
5 East 57th Street
New York 22, New York