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March 23/97.

My dear Mr. Kingsley:

I received some three weeks ago a letter from you which interested me greatly, and I would have replied more promptly had it not been for the fact that I wished to consult Tryon, and before getting through with that matter I was called south and have been absent from home practically two weeks. I returned via New York and saw Tryon last Sunday.
In the mean time, he had been considering which one of his pictures he would prefer to have you engrave, I also had been giving it some thought, and we finally decided, subject to your approval, to invite you to engrave the "Rising Moon". It is Tryon's medal picture as you know, and I think you saw it in my house when you were last here. What do you think of the selection? And are you willing to engrave it on same terms as the "Springtime"? We must recognize that unfortunately art engraving is to-day without financial respect or attention, and it is impossible to accomplish what we desire on non-art lines. Therefore, if you would like to engrave the "Rising Moon", I will be pleased to pay the same sum as was paid for the "Springtime" block, viz., $500.00 and will also pay for the proving and printing, it being understood that of the proofs taken you shall have whatever you desire for yourself and your friends, Tryon of course the same, and the balance shall go to me. Copies of the engraving to be given to museums and such collectors and amateurs and art lovers generally as have a genuine interest in art engraving, none however to be sold. By working in the same grooved followed by us in leading up to the accomplishment of the "Springtime", we separated art and commerce. Let us do the same in this instance and abide by the result.
I hope you will think well of the scheme and of the picture selected to be engraved. Think it over and at your early convenience