Letter from Joseph Duveen to Henry Clay Frick, 22 September 1911

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LETTERHEAD

DUVEEN BROTHERS 20, PLACE VENDÔME PARIS Sept. 22/11. 19_

/LETTERHEAD


Henry C. Frick, Esq. - page 2.


aware, of the late Mr. James Henry Smith). I consider that room to be the greatest Ballroom in England. When I come over it will give me much pleasure to show you large photos of it, so that you may see how very beautiful it is. All being well, I expect to arrive in Newyork SIC on the 15th or 14th Oct.


Beautiful as that room is, however, we must try to produce something if possible even greater ! I cannot tell you how gratified I feel at your kindness in giving me the opportunity of submitting a scheme to you. Naturally, you are in no way committed to anything; indeed, it would be a good plan to get schemes and ideas from UNDERLINED everyone /UNDERLINED , and the man who can show you how to achieve the really perfect result should be given the commission.


For myself, I am only anxious that such result should be in UNDERLINED every /UNDERLINED way perfect; that so great a collector as yourself should have the last word in decoration of this kind; and that, so far as your Picture Gallery is concerned, the highest possible taste and skill should be employed in producing one worthy to house your masterpieces.


As for pictures and works of art generally, you are of course aware that we purchased the late Charles Wertheimer's Collection. Included therein were two full-length Gainsboroughs, but I did not consider them so fine as the LADY DUNCAN which we purchased from Mr. Wertheimer before he died. That picture was the gem of his collection. Therefore I am not keeping the two Gainsboroughs for you; but the collection contains one picture which I think you really ought to see. True, it is a Romney, of whose works you have one or two; but you should at least have the opportunity of saying whether it would interest you.


You will remember that I told you of our intention to buy the fine Boucher Tapestry set of chairs. They were included in our purchase, and have been put away entirely reserved for you. They have been shown to no one.


I have also put aside for your inspection 2 or 3 very fine pieces of French furniture, also from the Wertheimer collection. They are of the very highest order, and are suitable for either the drawing-room in the country house or for your town house.


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