Letter from Charles Carstairs to Henry Clay Frick, 5 June 1909, with enclosures

"Mauritania"
NEW YORK.
355, FIFTH AVENUE.
PARIS,
23, PLACE VENDÔME.
CABLE ADDRESSES
KNOEDLER, LONDON.
KNOEDLER, NEW YORK.
KNOEDLER, PARIS.
TELEPHONE 1292 MAYFAIR.
5 June 1909.
15, OLD BOND STREET,
LONDON, W.
File
Dear Mr. Frick,
I send you copies of letters from Colnaghi & Co to Sir Charles Holroyd. I thought it was clearly understood by you that they had June 1st. I remember stating so to you. I regret not having written you a letter for had I done so there would have been no misunderstanding as to the time. As I cabled you, Saturday Sunday & Monday were Whitsuntide holidays & everything was closed & everybody out of town although the bank of England had a wire from the anonymous contributor on the Saty m'n'g [Saturday morning] –Sir Charles Holroyd sent for McKay first thing Tuesday m'n'g & told him it had virtually been arranged that they were expecting a wire confirming it & this wire arrived about one o'clock & McKay
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after lunch went with Holroyd & Spielmann to the bank of England Burlington St Branch & saw the manager who informed them the money was at their disposal that they had instructions to that effect. I had told McKay & Gutekunst forcibly from time to time that not one minute of delay would be granted & that was all I could do to assist you in getting the picture. I was really amazed at their succeeding & have considered the picture yours this week past. There was so much feeling in connection with this picture that it is almost as well they succeeded, although no one could have delighted in your owning it more than myself — I think you will receive consolation in the "Snyders" portrait. It arrived from Castle Howard yesterday & is far finer even than I imagined I would consider it one of the greatest pictures in the world, it is 6 inches higher & 1 1/2 in wider than the Mrs Snyders – Carlisle has been right in his estimation of its value. It has to be copied which will take at least a month and then must be out in order, possibly relined. It is in
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NEW YORK.
355, FIFTH AVENUE.
PARIS,
23, PLACE VENDÔME.
CABLE ADDRESSES
KNOEDLER, LONDON.
KNOEDLER, NEW YORK.
KNOEDLER, PARIS.
TELEPHONE 1292 MAYFAIR.
15, OLD BOND STREET,
LONDON, W.
the most pure beautiful state and will be a great addition to your collection, only 2d. in importance to the Holbein. I will also have a new frame made for it & as soon as ready & the new bill passed will ship it for your inspection & decision.
Don't feel too disappointed over the Holbein. You may depend upon hearing about any great pictures that may come in the market.
With kind regards & assuring you always of my sincere consideration of your interests I am
Yours sincerely
C.S. Carstairs
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TELEGRAMS, "IMAGERY, LONDON."
TELEPHONE No. 2638 GERRARD.
13 & 14 PALL MALL EAST
LONDON, S.W.
Copy.
6th May, 1909
Dear Sir.
We have great pleasure in offering the Portrait of Christina of Denmark by Holbein to the National Gallery at £72.000 (seventy two thousand pounds) this option to be determined on June 1st.
We remain, Dear Sir,
Yours faithfully,
(signed) P. & D. Colnaghi & Co.
Sir Charles Holroyd.
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Copy.
25 May. 1909.
Sir
We beg leave to enclose the Duke of Norfolk's delivery note for the Holbein portrait of Princess Christina of Denmark.
We very much regret that we cannot extend the time longer than Tuesday next June 1st.
Yours faithfully.
(signed) P. & D. Colnaghi & Co.
Sir Charles Holroyd.
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