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G.S. letter to Richard D. Buck, Fogg Museum, Cambridge - May 5th. 1948

Dear Mr. Buck:

Your most interesting letter of May 4th., duly reached me, and not only do I want to thank you for the time you have taken to study the miniature and its condition, but I do also want you to know how very much impressed I am with the scientific and efficient manner in which this study was carried out.

I have very carefully studied your recommendations, and I would thus suggest proceeding by first removing the vellum from the board backing, flattening, it, drawing the edges of the tears together, and applying it then to a piece of rag, with the ultimate purpose of having the miniature between two pieces of glass, to which you agree though with some hesitancy. Your recommendations of sealing it is excellent.

However, in order to avoid the direct contact of the glass and the recto surface, could we not apply a frame or some other material all around the miniature or at the four corners, slightly heavier in thickness than the vellum, on which the glass would actually rest.

The only part which worries me is the re-attaching of the loose paint, the touching up of the edge of the tears if necessary, as I feel so definitely against any sort of restoration affecting the recto side itself. You may, of course, have a perfectly safe technique to consolidate the loose paint?

Why not then proceed along these lines, and leave all questions relating to the recto until the bulk of the work has been carried out, at which time we will be in a better position to judge to what extent the miniature has suffered.

I do appreciate your suggestion of providing me with the different types of photographs, but sincerely do not consider it necessary at this point, in view of the smallness of the work of art.

Before closing, may I ask you to be good enough to let me know how long you think it will take you to have this work carried out, as, naturally, I am most anxious to be again in possession of the miniature.

With renewed thanks, Yours sincerely,

(SIGNED: GERMAIN SELIGMAN)

AIR MAIL

   

Transcription Notes:
I don't get the copying of complete letters in the notes. ----- COPY G.S. letter to Richard D. Buck, Fogg Museum, Cambridge [[strikethrough] O [[/strikethrough]] May 5th. 1948 Dear Mr. Buck: Your most interesting letter of May 4th., duly reached me, and not only do I want to thank you for the time you have taken to study the miniature and its condition, but I do also want you to know how very much impressed I am with the scientific and efficient manner in which this study was carried out. I have very [[crossed out]] so [[\crossed out]] carefully studied your recommendations, and I would thus suggest proceeding by first removing the vellum from the board backing, flattening, it, drawing the edges of the tears together, and applying it then to a piece of rag, with the ultimate purpose of having the miniature between two pieces of glass, to which you agree though with some hesitancy. Your recommendations of sealing it is excellent. However, in order to avoid the direct contact of the glass and the recto surface, could we not apply a frame or some other material all around the miniature or at the four corners, slightly heavier in thickness than the vellum, on which the glass would actually rest. The only part which worries me is the re-attaching of the loose paint, the touching up of the edge of the tears if necessary, as I feel so definitely against any sort of restoration affecting the recto side itself. You may, of course, have a perfectly safe technique to consolidate the loose paint? Why not then proceed along these lines, and leave all questions relating to the recto until the bulk of the work has been carried out, at which time we will be in a better position to judge to what [[crossed out]] the [[\crossed out]] extent the miniature has suffered. I do appreciate your suggestion of providing me with the different types of photographs, but sincerely do not consider it necessary at this point, in view of the smallness of the work of art. Before closing, may I ask you to be good enough to let me know how long you think it will take you to have this work carried out, as, naturally, I am most anxious to be again in possession of the miniature. With renewed thanks, Yours sincerely, (SIGNED: GERMAIN SELIGMAN) AIR MAIL ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-25 12:09:05