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652
(645)

September 17th, 1898.

Mr. Edward S. Hull, Jr.,
31 Nassau Street, New York City.

My dear Mr. Hull:-

Your letter of fifteenth instant is received and carefully noted. I have no doubt that Professor Fennellossa's estimate of the number of fine things possible of public purchase in Japan, is entirely correct. It is a pretty well settled fact that, in order to obtain fine art objects, it is necessary to seek the private collections, but the fact that there are many private collections in Japan should not be lost sight of, and I have no doubt that art objects of fine quality will continue to come to this country; that prices will be higher seems quite natural.

In making you the offer I did for the Koboiyashi prints, I felt that the figures were liberal and I have not changed my mind. I examined them carefully last night and am fully convinced that $600.00 for the lot averages a substantial return for the prints. Of course I do not desire topurchase these at less than their value and neither do I want to be connected with a transaction that would embarass you in the slightest. If, after further consideration you feel that my figures are too low, kindly write me to that effect and I will cheerfully return the Koboyashi prints.

I would very much like to see the books again before they are returned and also to have another look at that pair of screens. At the present I cannot state definitely concerning my movements,but I have decided to visit the warm springs of Virginia about October 10th and hop