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4. From Dr. Edgar Wind, 35 Woodlawn Ave., Northampton, Massachusetts. We had addressed your first letter to the Department of Art, Smith College [[strikethrough]] Museum of [[/strikethrough]] Northampton, Mass.

Dear Mr. Seligman: Thank you very much for your kindness in sending me, with your letter of April 19th., a photograph of the most interesting French gouache of a lady riding on a chariot in the clouds. I wish I could give you a full answer to all your questions, but there is only one point about which I feel certain: this is not Aurora but Astraea (Astrée). The luminous star above the horses identifies her beyond any doubt; and it is also very fitting that she should ride through a dark (nightly) sky. Could the rays in the lower left corner indicate the setting rather than the rising sun? Astraea played a great role in French and English pageants of the 17th. century.
I have not read Honoré D'Urfe's Astrée. It is an heroic pastoral. But I have no doubt that many other Astrées were current in France and possibly this may help as a clue, particularly if you should care to consult a scholar better acquainted with 17th. century French literature than I am. I should not be surprised if Professor Leo Spitzer at Johns Hopkins University could "spot" the relevant passage on seeing the picture. Again with many thanks for letting me see this interesting piece. YVS.

Answer: Dear Dr. Wind: In the absence of Mr. Germain Seligman, who is away for several weeks, may I thank you in his behalf for your letter of May 6th., regarding the French 17th[[strikethrough]] . [[/strikethrough]], century gouache, which I am forwarding to him. YVS

There is also a note from Miss Wittler in appreciation for the generous loan of your Seurat painting and drawing.

As Mrs. Parker is not writing this minute she asked me to/tell you that the only person who has been in is Gimpel of London to see your cousin who was not in at the time.

Also yesterday morning Mr. Nelson A. Rockefeller's secretary called regarding your desire of seeing his collection - she spoke to Mrs. Parker and said Mr. R. was away too and the matter has been filed for the fall.

Also yesterday morning Mr. Goldschmidt called to speak to your cousin as you were away he said. Your cousin says he has dictated a note about it to Miss Cohen.

With best regards and wishes,

Sincerely,
Eleanor Bozin

Mr. Germain Seligman
Seligmann & Cie.
23 Place Vendome
Paris
France

[[right margin]] AIR MAIL [[/right margin]]

Transcription Notes:
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