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Royall Tyler to Robert Woods Bliss, December 14, 1926

Ministry of Finance,
Budapest.
14th December, 1926Tuesday.

PERSONAL.

Dear Robert,

Your letter of December 8th has just arrived. As we are so far apart, I am sending this off to you now with all the points that occur to me in connection with the objects, in order to avoid as far as possible having to exchange telegrams at a later stage.

I think I told you in my last letter that I had written to Kalebdjian to make sure that the objects should be at Cairo on January 2nd, and to let me know the name and address of the person in whose keeping they will be.

Assuming that I start on December 31st from Trieste, I shall have only a very few days at Antigny, and I am anxious not to shorten the time by going to Paris. As it is quite easy to communicate between Antigny and Paris by telephone, I shall be able to talk to Kalebdjian without going up to Paris.

You say in your letter that you doubt whether it would be possible to send the objects from Cairo by pouch. I will therefore find out from Kalebdjian whether he would be able to deliver them, le cas échéant,“If need be.” in Paris or Stockholm. If there is likely to be any hitch there, I would try to arrange to bring the things as far as Paris myself, always on the supposition that a deal is made.

I do not know yet whether the offer would have to be made through Kalebdjian, as he appears to have an option, or directly to the owner, and this is one of the points I will have to clear up with him.

I would be very glad if, as soon as convenient after receipt of this, you would write me a letter to Antigny with your views, if any, on the above points, and particularly on the following suggestions on the procedure at the later stage. I assume that if I report favourably, you would be prepared to pay cash down for the objects. Please let me know if this assumption is correct. Please let me know what your upward limit would be, i.e., how high you would wish me to go. (I am assuming that you wish me to do the actual bargaining if I think the things warrant it.) If I can bargain direct with the owner, I shall offer him a lump sum, out of which Kalebdjian’s commission will have to be paid. If, on the other hand, I have to deal with Kalebdjian, I shall offer him a lump sum, and he and the owner can fight out the size of the commission between them. In both cases it would of course be understood that expenses would be deducted from the purchase price.For the issue of the price of the silver treasure and Kalebdjian's 20% commission, see previous letters beginning November 22, 1926.

As soon as I have been able to make up my mind about the objects, I will send you a telegram, in which I may ask you for authority to make a definitive offer.

I daresay other points will come up about which I shall have to consult you, and the above may suggest some to your mind. I shall be grateful for any hints you can give me.

Much love and best Xmas wishes to you and Mildred

Yrs ever
R. T.

 
Associated People: Tawfic Abucasem