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174

-174-

#33 Ferry Avenue,
Detroit, Michigan,
June 20th, 1904.

Dear Mr. Coolidge:--

Your kind letter, concerning the Japanese wood-panels purchased at the Gillott Sale, reached me during my recent foreign trip, and I was much pleased to hear so fully from you.

The doubt in the mind of Mr. Okakura about the genuineness of the panels naturally caused some little uneasiness of mind. Perhaps Okakura's statements can be verified, but I am very doubtful.

During my short stay in Paris, I was invited to dine with the "Friends of the Art of the Extreme Orient", which association, you doubtless know, includes practically all of the great collectors of Paris. After the cigars were lighted, I had the pleasure of telling Mr. Hayashi that the genuineness of the panels was questioned on this side. I only regret that you could not have been present and heard the remarks made by Messrs. Hayashi, Bing, Koechlin, Isaaz and other leading experts, including Mr. Motono, the Japanese Minister to France. You would have been deeply interested.

I hope before Mr. Okakura returns to have the pleasure of meeting him, and I shall induce him, if possible, to secure for