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New York, New Yor

November 14, 1974

Dear Herbert,

Do have my thanks for your letter of November 6th, with the disappointing news about the Cocteau drawing.

On December 2nd, at Christie's, paintings and watercolors from Jerome Hill's collection will be auctioned. Number 21, [[underline]] Le Quatorze Juillet [[/underline]], by La Fresnaye, is a rather important work in the artist's oeuvre, and in order to be sure that it will not be "slaughtered" in view of economic conditions, I would like you to bid for it up to $10,000 (ten thousand dollars). With the fluctuating rates, I am unable today to give you a figure in pounds, though I assume it should be about 4,250.

According to prices brought here of paintings by this artist, this painting should bring about $50-60,000. Thus, in some ways I hope I will not get it. On the other hand, I would be very happy should you succeed.

In the October Burlington, I saw the reproduction of your painting, but why should Nicholson have written "after"?, which one could interpret as a copy, whereas I recall its being of superb execution.

Now, as regards drawings, you were correct in assuming that we had not bought a Jessie King from you, for when acquired it was called Arthur Rakham. However, a specialist told us that it was by Jessie King, a Scottish artist. It is a large, amusing watercolor, but not a great work: $400. (four hundred dollars).

Among the drawings I still have, I could offer you one by

Prud'hon, [[underline]] L'Ame Brisant les Liens qui l'attachent a La Terre [[/underline]], ca. 1821,

acquired from you. It has a long pedigree and is mentioned in Guiffrey, #345. $7,000. (seven thousand dollars).

Two drawings by Chasseriau,

[[underline]] Les Reveuses [[/underline]] - $5,500. (five thousand five hundred dollars)

[[underline]] Les Commerce Rapproche les Peuples [[/underline]] - $4,500. (four thousand five hundred dollars).

The latter, though pale, is quite interesting for it is a