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July 7th, 1937

afraid I can't tip you off to the exact date.  However, would you be good enough to also write to Paris and give my lines to Georges a little more weight as Mr. Taylor seems to be in the market and is a real prospect.  I lunched with Edmiston in Wilmington. In fact he is coming to see me tomorrow afternoon.  Mr. Taylor had informed him that he was going to spend the afternoon prior to his sailing with me, and I think he sees the writing on the wall.  From what I can analyze in this whole matter, I would conclude that Mr. Taylor's remark as to prohibitive prices can be blamed on the fact that Edmiston demands too high a commission.  Did you know that Mr. Edmiston is the agent for Boutet de Monvel who never paid him more than 15% for commission at his regular prices and whenever Boutet had to make a sacrifice, Edmiston's commission was adjusted accordingly.  In any case, I shall report to you the result of Edmiston's visit here at the galleries tomorrow.  Taylor couldn't have been nicer and told me that I should come down to his place in Pennsylvania and stay with him after his return from Europe.

MARION DAVIES -- It is very interesting what you tell me about her and that she definitely bought art objects for her own collection.  However, I can tell you that no one in this town has done any business with them here.  In fact, no one has even seen them and I think that I am one of the very few people who, thanks to Maury Paul, was smuggled into their greatly restricted circle.  I saw Maury last night and spoke to him about what you told me regarding Marion and he told me that there is apparently far more behind the amalgamation of Mr. Hearst's papers than the outside world knows, but that his financial advisers have actually closed down on him and forced him to reduce his colossal overhead.  A tax suit on top of that apparently has gotten the old gentleman in the corner for the time being and Maury told me very confidentially that Marion has put up six million dollars.  Be it as it may, for the time being I am afraid we shall have to forget Mr. Hearst.  You know in enterprises of such size there are ups and downs and maybe in a few months he may feel entirely different.  

ROBERT LANDRY -- My Canadian friend came to see me with another mutual friend, Mr. Emil Singer who actually lives in Montreal and is one of the very successful real-estate and mining stock operators there.  Before I make you all nervous and discuss the matter of a Canadian exhibition with César, allow me to investigate a little further and make you a better report.  Mr. Singer told me that he would furnish me with a number of names of very rich and art-minded people who would be worth while contacting and cultivating.  I shall concentrate on this matter and you will hear more from me.

METTERNICH -- Though it is a pity, I fully agree with you to be tired of the entire matter and I am quite of your opinion that we should sell the picture at a price we might have difficulties.  

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Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-08 12:43:08