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5 East 57th., St.
New York 22, N.Y.

September 3rd., 1948

Dear F-G:

With considerable delay due to the fact that I could not be reached by cable or telegram, I received your cable referring to a large Vuillard painting, for which I most heartily thank you. I am afraid that it would be wiser to refrain from becoming interested inti, were it but for its size being over seven feet high without a frame, as our total ceiling height is roughly nine feet.

Furthermore, 1922 is very late in the oeuvre of the artist, and having constantly campaigned to show that the greatest period is between 1880 and 1905, approximately speaking, with reason, I claim offhand the painting would not fit in my scope of activities. Of course, a photograph would help me considerably. I do not mention the matter of price, but I doubt very much that I would be willing under present circumstances to pay the price for a painting by Vuillard.

TOULOUSE-LAUTREC: I am also much obliged to you for your letter of August 13th., The portrait of Toulouse-Lautrec is again too expensive. When I write this I realize fully how rare such works by this artist are nowadays, and what prices they do reach at auction, but I want to be extremely cautious, as I told you previously I believe, works by some of these artists have reached prices which are beyond reason, particularly in view of the descrepancies existing between them and the works of other men.

ELLINGERS: I am intensely interested and truly grateful to you for calling my attention to the Ellingers, and shall write to them shortly. I am opposed to sending photographs, but shall find some reason or other for communicating with them.

BARONESS GOURGAUD: I was hoping that I would have heard from you in connection with teh Baroness, but no answer is an answer, and I surmise that you have nothing to say - in other words that you have not seen her.

COYSEVOX BUSTS: As you will recall, I wrote you in June in this respect, and Armand took the trouble of answering me, as you were away. One of the reasons for my being interested is just on account of the National Gallery in Washington, as, as you may remember, I had approached them in this connection years ago, and when last seasonk I took it up with them anew, they seemed to be quite lukewarm, and I thought it best to postpone pressing them. Now, however, from Armand's answer, I would gather that they are taking them up again, and as I certainly do not want to do anything which would conflict with any of the steps you have both taken, I would appreciate receiving a more complete account of what actually transpired, unless you would prefer I kept off them entirely for the time being.
I would like, namely, to have the name of the official of the National Gallery to whom you showed the busts; the price you mentioned etc. On the other hand, if you read a copy of Armand's letter of July 5th., you will probably understand why the question of price remains quite vague in my mind, as the question of commission is beyond my understanding. I feel certain you will have no difficulty in making it clearer.

TWO ANGELS: Thank you for the price quoted of  2,500 and the roughly estimated cost of 40,000 francs for shipping etc. I have not reached any conclusion in this respect yet.

LASALLE SCREEN: Though you never wrote me what price you were actually asking for this screen in Paris and also at what price you could consign it to me here.

Monsieur Francois-Gerard Seligman
23 Place Vendome
Paris
France
                            (GERMAIN SELIGMAN)

Transcription Notes:
Please do not put hard returns at the ends of lines within paragraphs.