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January 22nd, 1945

Dear Francois:

The documents establishing mother's and my property on our American and Canadian securities held by Jordan and Danon prior to May 1940 have not reached us yet. As a matter of record what I need is a duplicate of the purchasing certificate, or photostatic copies of the pages of the book of the banks showing the entries of these securities to our accounts, or if these documents cannot be produced, the photostatic copies of the entries in the books of these banks of dividends on these above-mentioned securities from 1937 until June 1940.

In September 1942 Estrangin wrote to ask me to send him immediately a document proving that I had given him my car as he felt he was on the verge of getting into very serious trouble. I sent him right away the document he asked for. You can conclude that I did this to oblige him.

At Banque Jordan mother and myself each had one safe. Please let us know what has happened to their contents.

I had left in Marseille: 4 enamel chasses, 9 plaques in enamel plus one Byzantin plaque 2-1/2 cm. in diameter made by André, gold boxes, engravings in a portfolio: 2 Morlands and their pendants, two Wards, four French colored engravings, one milk and one coffee woman, a big Boilly engraving, one representing Madame de Lamballe, the Royal Children, two watercolors by Lallemand, and maybe some other trifles.

Our business would be prosperous if the stock were more important. We have new customers and generally speaking the mood is better than it was. The artists which are in demand are: Picasso, Renoir, Degas, Cezanne, Vuillard, Bonnard, Matisse, Seurat, Braque, etc., but also Hals, Rembrandt, the good Italians and always from time to time one reads in the magazines that a good Fragonard or Watteau has been sold. That is why I would suggest that you keep an eye on the Vuillard Estate, if you can.

The painting Irises has not been sold but the Degas "Ironing Woman" has.

What do I owe to Cesar for the warehouse?

Beatrice Alexandre is in San Domingo and her friend is over here. They won't marry. He recognizes that he owes me $300. but he hasn't the means to pay me. To his credit, I will say, that in spite of all this we are nevertheless on good terms.

Send to Jacqueline a duplicate of the power of attorney given to her by Rene Fulda concerning the liquidation of the old firm, and also all data possible concerning this liquidation.

You will find at Brame a valise containing laces. Jacqueline puts them at your disposal if you want to sell them and use the money for yourself.

Ask Ivanka for the trunk that Jacqueline deposited before she left with Solange's mother. You will find in it things that belong to you; the remainder belongs to Jacqueline who asks you to keep them for her.

Maybe Hartmann will bring you one of my old pullovers. The last time I saw him before he left, he told me that he was taking a few over for some friends of his, so I went to my drawer, took that one out and hope you will like it and use it. If not, please send it to Sigrid.

Best love,

Monsieur Francois Gerard
1, Square Villaret Joyeuse, Paris