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Copy of a letter from H. Silva White to H.C. Frick, 9 October 1912 [front]
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Private. Dec 3 1912
29, Duke Street, St. James's, London, S.W. Oct. 9th, 1912
H.C. Frick, Esq, New York.
Dear Sir: Before you left London you kindly told me if I heard of a fine Holbein to let you know. I have now heard of one of his very finest works, and of course a very well known picture. I must tell you that it has been placed before me upon the condition that I mention it to no living person but yourself, therefore I cannot in honour consult our mutual friends Messrs. Knoedler about it, which I should like to have done, so that they could also have placed the matter be-bore you, but I have had to give my solemn word of honour not to do so, & there-fore I must ask you not to mention it to anybody & I know I can rely upon your helping me to keep my word. The picture in question is the Holbein belonging to Earl Radnor, & as you have Profr. Ganz's Holbein book, if you will kindly look it up, you will see which one it is. Or course it is universally admitted no finer Holbein exists, but before his Lordship would part with it he wants a very big price. He says he will want 100,000 pounds. I do know for a fact that he has been offered & refused 70,000 pounds for it, & the offer came from Germany. My idea is that if someone were to offer to split the difference between the above figures he might be induced to take it. Naturally many people I this world have tried to tempt his Lordship to part with tit, for it is one of the Master's greatest works, but nobody has succeeded. I however give you the about information in confidence, & can assure you that if you would like to negotiate & make an effort to secure it, I can do so for you upon the lines above indicated- but if you should wish me to go to work upon it, I would as you to do so quickly, as in these days one never knows who may not come in and snap it up. I need hardly add that such an addition to your collection would make quite a sensation in America. Without troubling you too much, may I ask you to let me hear from you at your earliest convenience & oblige. Yours obediently, H. Silva White (signed)