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[left margin] Mr. Seligman

Tuesday, May 1, 1951
The prince and princess Wolff were in last night.  She is a French lady and has a predisposition that you should be the one to handle the matter. Incidentally, her word seems to be accepted by him, and if you have her in your corner you will also have him there.  He has been told by Miss Monagen of your activity and price quoted.  He asked me whether the latter was 350,000.- to which I replied I merely recollected it was in that vicinity. 

The way he suggested handling the matter is as follows:  They would be collateral for a loan to be paid in instalments.  If the instalments are not paid off within three or four years, the collection would become your property.  I assumed that the above was put in these terms so that the gentleman could actually be making a sale but from an outsiders point of view would seem only to have taken a loan against the collection. 

The prince and princess had booked passage for today as their visa renewal expired on the 28th and they were afraid they might have to make an involuntary visit to uncle Sam's boarding-house on Ellis Island.  I called up Mr. Robbins, told him you were very anxious to see these people, and had him speak to the prince from here.  Apparently, Robbins convinced the gentleman that the Government would not drag them off in the middle of the night for remaining a few days longer.  When they left here, she was convincing him to stay until May 7th.

I thought you should have all this information the minute you land as he may be waiting here when you get to the office, or at least be waiting for a phone call at the Sherry Netherlands hotel.  


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Transcription Notes:
---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-02-23 14:53:17