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Series 6 of 7: 1950–1959 (130 Items)

Item 1:  Copy of letter from [JT] to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 8/26/1950, re:  account information, Flemish Tapestry of Christ and the Virgin needs [cleaning] treatment [HC.T.1908.01.(T)].

Item 2:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 8/30/1950, re:  cleaning of [Flemish Tapestry of Christ and the Virgin] [HC.T.1908.01.(T)].

Item 3:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 4/3/1951, re:  repair of wooden ceiling in the Music Room.

Item 4:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 4/14/1951, re:  wooden ceiling [in Music Room].

Item 5:  Letter from MS to EHB, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 4/21/1951, re:  Swedish commode, ceiling [in Music Room].

Item 6:  Letter from MS to EHB, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 5/14/1951, re:  artist restorer to examine ceiling [in Music Room].

Item 7:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 5/19/1951, re:  cost of restoration of [Music Room] ceiling.

Item 8:  Copy of letter from EHB to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 5/24/1951, re: [Music Room] ceiling, cleaning of “Christ and the Virgin” tapestry [HC.T.1908.01.(T)], Swedish commode.

Item 9:  Copy of letter from EHB to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 6/27/1951, re:  “Christ and the Virgin” tapestry [HC.T.1908.01.(T)].

Item 10:  Letter from MS to EHB, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 6/27/1951, re:  “Christ and the Virgin” tapestry [HC.T.1908.01.(T)].

Item 11:  Copy of letter from [JT?] to MBB, Colonial Inn (Edgartown, MA], 7/24/1951, re:  report on meeting with Mr. Samuels regarding items to be sent to New York (French and Company).

Item 12:  Enclosure to item 11, copy of memorandum to [MBB], 7/23/1951, re:  [list of possible items at Dumbarton Oaks to be sent to New York].

Item 13:  Enclosure to item 11, copy of “Memorandum for Mrs. Bliss, July 24, 1951,” re:  [list of possible objects to be sent to New York with prices].

Item 14:  Copy of letter from EHB to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 7/25/1951, re:  objects being [transported] to New York.

Item 15:  Letter from MS to EHB, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 7/26/1951, re:  objects to be [transported] to New York.

Item 16:  Memorandum from MS to Dumbarton Oaks, 7/31/1951, re:  list of objects being sent to Dumbarton Oaks from French & Company, including a number of Karachi, Serebend, Swedish, Bokhara, Oriental, Kurdistan, and Calistan rugs.

Item 17:  Receipt for item 16, from French & Company to Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 7/31/1951.

Item 18:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 8/1/1951, re:  list of items at Dumbarton Oaks sent to [French & Company to sell], shipping receipt for three tapestries which are to be cleaned, and information regarding other objects to be sold.

Item 19:  Enclosure to item 18, shipping receipt from Dumbarton Oaks to French & Company, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 8/1/1951, re:  descriptive list of objects sent from Dumbarton Oaks to French & Company.

Item 20:  Enclosure to item 18, shipping receipt from Dumbarton Oaks to French & Company, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 8/1/1951, re:  3 tapestries to be cleaned 1) Flemish 16th century [HC.T.1930.07.(T)]: Christ and the Virgin [HC.T.1908.01.(T)], 2) French 14th century: Animals and Flowers [HC.T.1913.04.(T)], 3) French 15th century: La Dame au Hennin {HC.T.1912.03.(T)].

Item 21:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 8/8/1951, re:  [objects received from Dumbarton Oaks].

Item 22:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 8/8/1951, re:  various objects including commodes.

Item 23:  Copy of letter from EHB to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 8/13/1951, re:  furniture, tapestries, and commodes.

Item 24:  Copy of letter from EHB to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 8/29/1951, re:  objects including mantels, boiseries, and desks to be sent to [French & Company].

Item 25:  Letter from MS to EMB, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 8/31/1951, re:  various objects at Dumbarton Oaks to be sent to French & Company.

Item 26:  Letter from MS to EHB, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 9/7/1951, re:  objects to be transported to New York.

Item 27:  Shipping receipt from Dumbarton Oaks to French & Company, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 9/13/1951, re: description of objects sent to French & Company including 1 Spanish 17th-century desk, 1 French 19th-century desk, 1 Chinese porcelain lamp, and other objects.

Item 28:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 9/21/1951, re:  check covering the purchase of commode; all objects from Dumbarton Oaks are on display [at French & Company].

Item 29:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 9/24/1951, re:  [receipt] of check for commode.

Item 30:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 10/24/1951, re:  Baltimore Museum of Art to borrow Tournai tapestry of “The Prince of Malice” [HC.T.1935.15.(T)], would like to borrow a replacement tapestry until object is returned.

Item 31:  Letter from Milton Samuels to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 11/1/1951, re:   replacement tapestry for “The Prince of Malice” [HC.T.1935.15.(T)].

Item 32:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 12/28/1951, re:  wondering if [French & Co.] has been able to dispose of any of the Dumbarton Oaks furniture.

Item 33:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 1/5/1952, re:  no luck selling [Dumbarton Oaks] objects.

Item 34:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 3/7/1952, re:  inquiring if [French & Co.] has been able to dispose of any of the Dumbarton Oaks objects.

Item 35:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 3/15/1952, re: some [Dumbarton Oaks] objects are under consideration by a museum.

Item 36:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 4/10/1952, re:  asking if any of the Dumbarton Oaks objects have been sold.

Item 37:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 4/23/1952, re:  a number of Dumbarton Oaks objects are under consideration [nothing sold] yet.

Item 38:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 1/26/1953, re:  would like to know what the situation is for objects on consignment from Dumbarton Oaks. Trustees are anxious to liquidate.

Item 39:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 2/12/1953, re:  there has been a delay [disposing of Dumbarton Oaks objects] and it will be another month before they have news, business has not been too easy the last year or so.

Item 40:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 4/20/1953, re:  disposal of Dumbarton Oaks objects.

Item 41:  Copy of letter from EHB to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), re:  return of Bernard Palissy plate [HC.C.xxxx.003.(C)] to [Dumbarton Oaks] for study purposes.

Item 42:  Letter from French & Co. to EHB, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 9/25/1953, re:  have sent the Bernard Palissy plate [HC.C.xxxx.003.(C)] [to Dumbarton Oaks].

Item 43:  Letter from MS to EHB, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 9/30/1953, re: return of [Palissy] plate [HC.C.xxxx.003.(C)], business has not been too good and [Dumbarton Oaks] objects haven’t sold.

Item 44:  Copy of letter from EHB to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 10/2/1953, re:  Palissy plate [HC.C.xxxx.003.(C)] arrived safely.

Item 45:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 3/29/1954, re:  what proposal [French & Company] has to make to [Dumbarton Oaks] in connection with the furniture and other objects still on consignment?

Item 46:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 3/31/1954, re:  will make a proposal in April [for Dumbarton Oaks objects on consignment].

Item 47:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 5/12/1954, re:  proposal regarding the furniture on consignment from Dumbarton Oaks.

Item 48:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 5/15/1954, re:  objects on consignment.

Item 49:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (Washington, D.C.), 5/21/1954, re: proposal [for objects on consignment].

Item 50:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 5/28/1954, re:  no opportunity to go into the matter this week [regarding objects on consignment].

Item 51:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 6/16/1954, re:  will purchase pair of console tables and the five doors [from Dumbarton Oaks]. Will either purchase or dispose of the other [Dumbarton Oaks] objects on consignment before the turn of the year.

Item 52:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 6/25/1954, re:  payment for pair of Adams console tables and five doors.

Item 53:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 10/26/1954, re:  Dumbarton Oaks objects on consignment.

Item 54:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 10/30/1954, re: trying to expedite sales.

Item 55: Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (Washington, D.C.), 1/3/1955, re:  furniture on [consignment].

Item 56:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (Washington, D.C.), 2/25/1955, re:  what settlement can be made in regard to the furniture belonging to Dumbarton Oaks which [French & Company] has on consignment.

Item 57:  Letter from secretary to MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 3/10/1955, re:  MS is away.

Item 58:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (Washington, D.C.), 4/6/1955, re:  disposal of objects from Dumbarton Oaks which are still on consignment.

Item 59:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 4/28/1955, re: will hear from us before the fiscal year ends.

Item 60:  French & Co. auditors to Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), no date, re: audit of accounts due by June 30, 1955, furnish itemized statement of unpaid account, amounts due, merchandize held on consignment, purchase commitments, etc.

Item 61:  Attachment to item 60, copy of “Objects Held on Consignment for Sale by French & Company, for Dumbarton Oaks, as of June 30, 1955,” 9/8/1955, re:  list of 21 objects and lots.

Item 62:  Copy of item 61.

Item 63:  Attachment to item 60, “Copy of List Enclosed to French & Company Letter of June 18, 1953.  Re:  Dumbarton Oaks, List No. 4, Objects on Consignment for Sale as of June 5, 1953,” re:  list of twenty-six objects.

Item 64:  Letter from ER to Alberta Carpenter, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 8/19/1955, re:  enclosing check for the sale of Dumbarton Oaks articles.

Item 65:  Copy of letter from Alberta Carpenter to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 8/22/1955, re:  thank you for check for the sale of articles from Dumbarton Oaks.

Item 66:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 9/14/1955, re:  disappointed in the amount of check given to Dumbarton Oaks.

Item 67:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 10/11/1955, re:  kindly send a list of the objects with their respective prices that were sold for Dumbarton Oaks.

Item 68:  Letter from MS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 10/14/1955, re:  will try to purchase whatever remains will have a statement before the end of the month.

Item 69:  Copy of letter from JT to Janusz Ilinski, City Investing Company (NYC), 1/17/1956, re:  objects that French & Company still has on consignment from [Dumbarton Oaks].  

Item 70:  Letter from Janusz Ilinski to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 2/3/1956, re:  [account information] regarding Dumbarton Oaks objects still held by French & Company.

Item 71:  Copy of letter from JT to Janusz Ilinski, City Investing Company (NYC), 2/8/1956, re:  matter of the property on consignment with French & Company.

Item 72: Memorandum from French & Company to Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 2/20/1956, re: “Dumbarton Oaks, List No. 1, Objects Purchased from Consignment Subsequent to June 5, 1953.”

Item 73:  Memorandum from French & Company to Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 2/20/1956, re: “Dumbarton Oaks, List No. 2, Remaining Objects for Sale on Consignment as February 20, 1956.”

Item 74:  Copy of item 73.

Item 75:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 3/19/1956, re:  [the settlement of financial matters] between Dumbarton Oaks and French & Company.

Item 76:  Letter from Lillian Draper (secretary to ER) to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 3/20/1956, re: will go over records and endeavor to clarify this very complicated [financial] matter.

Item 77:  Copy of letter from JT to Janusz Ilinski, City Investing Company (NYC), 5/17/1956, re:  Dumbarton Oaks objects, important to have transaction[s] settled as quickly as possible.

Item 78:  Letter from Joyce Lambert (secretary to Janusz Ilinski) to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 5/18/1956, re:  will be in touch.

Item 79:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 6/6/1956, re:  list of furniture and art objects which Dumbarton Oaks has sent to French & Company.

Item 80:  Copy of item 79.

Item 81:  Enclosure to item 79, list of “All Furniture and Art Objects Sent to French & Company from Dumbarton Oaks, August 6 and Sept. 15, 1951.”

Item 82:  Copy of item 81.

Item 83:  Letter from Thelma Fuller (secretary to Janusz Ilinski) to Trustees for Harvard University, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 7/109/1956, re:  check from French & Company.

Item 84:  Letter from French & Company accountants to Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 7/15/1957, re:  request confirmation of merchandise held on consignment.

Item 85:  Attachment to item 84, “Objects on Consignment from Dumbarton Oaks, June 30, 1956, (French & Company List, August 24, 1956).”

Item 86:  Copy of item 85.

Item 87:  Letter from ER to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 7/25/1958, re:  non-sale of Bliss and Dumbarton items which French & Company have on consignment; two checks received.

Item 88: Enclosure to item 87, memorandum from French & Company to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 7/25/1958, re:  French & Company accountants request confirmation of merchandise held on consignment.

Item 89:  Letter from MS to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 7/26/1958, re:  account information.

Item 90:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 8/7/1958, re:  French & Company audit.

Item 91:  Copy of list, “Re: Dumbarton Oaks, List No.1, Objects Purchased from Consignment to June 30, 1956,” August 24, 1956.

Item 92:  Copy of list, “Re: Dumbarton Oaks, List No. 2, Remaining Objects for Sale on Consignment as of June 30, 1956,” August 24, 1956.

Item 93:  Copy of letter from ER to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 9/5/1956, re:  account [discrepancies].

Item 94:  Memorandum from Brach, Gosswein & Lane to [JT?], Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 9/15/1958, re: “Objects at French & Company on Consignment from Dumbarton Oaks, June 30, 1958.”

Item 95:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 9/21/1956, re:  objects on consignment, balance due Dumbarton Oaks, and [various account discrepancies].

Item 96:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 9/21/1956, re:  letter to Mitchell Samuels sent for [Russell’s] approval.

Item 97:  Letter from Lillian Draper to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 9/24/1956, re:  Mr. Russell is in the West until October.

Item 98:  Letter from ER to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 10/2/1956, re:  Letter to Mitchell Samuels is excellent.

Item 99:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 10/8/1956, re:  letter to Mitchell Samuels; trip to Istanbul postponed; Whitehaven Street transaction complete.

Item 100:  Letter from Norman Johnson to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 10/10/1956, re:  payment of the balance due Dumbarton Oaks, will do their best to sell the remaining objects.

Item 101:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 10/15/1956, re:  account [discrepancies] with French & Company.

Item 102:  Letter from ER to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 10/17/1956, re:  Dumbarton Oaks [account] with French & Company.

Item 103:  Copy of letter from EHB to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 10/18/1956, re:  JT in Istanbul; French & Company balance.

Item 104:  Letter from ER to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 11/13/1959, re:  failure of French & Company to make any payment on account.

Item 105:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 11/17/1959, re:  have written to Colonel Janusz Ilinski at the City Investing Company telling him of plight with French & Company.

Item 106:  Copy of letter from JT to Colonel Janusz Ilinski, City Investing Company (NYC), assistance in regard to various pieces of furniture which Dumbarton Oaks sent to French & Company for disposal, desperately anxious to liquidate this transaction.

Item 107:  Letter from G. Butler Sherwell to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 11/19/1959, re:   paintings by Sert belonging to Mrs. Lucienne de Cárdenas that are in Dumbarton Oaks’ possession.

Item 108:  Copy of letter from JT to G. Butler Sherwell, 55 Broad Street (NYC), 12/1/1959, re:  will ship paintings by Sert belonging to Mrs. Lucienne de Cárdenas to French & Company.

Item 109:  Letter from Norma Ramírez to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 12/3/1959, re:  shipment of [Sert] paintings.

Item 110:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 12/4/1956, re:  have not received check from French & Company.

Item 111:  Copy of letter from JT to Spencer Samuels, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 12/5/1956, re:  check has not been received, what additional objects on consignment from Dumbarton Oaks have been disposed of?

Item 112:  Letter from ER to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 1/23/1957, re:  French & Company account.

Item 113:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 1/25/1957, re:  thank you for your great kindness in trying to straighten out the French & Company muddle.

Item 114:  Letter from Spencer Samuels to JT, [Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.)], 3/29/1957, re:  acquired Parke-Bernet Building on Madison Avenue, disposing of a large part of inventory, invitation to private sale.

Item 115:  Enclosure to item 114, invitation, “French & Company, Inc., ‘One of the World’s Most Extensive and Distinguished Collections of Art,’ Cordially Invites You to a Special Inventory Sale Prior to Removal to Its New Galleries, April 3- May 18, 1957, 210 East 57th Street.”

Item 116:  Copy of item 114.

Item 117:  Letter from SS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 4/9/1957, re:  inventory sale.

Item 118:  Copy of letter from JT to SS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 4/10/1957, re:  interested to know how inventory sale might affect the items belonging to Dumbarton Oaks.

Item 119:  Letter from SS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 4/29/1957, re:  [account discrepancies].

Item 120:  Cablegram from JT to SS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 4/30/1957, re:  cannot understand why I have not heard from you.

Item 121: Telegram from SS to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 4/30/1957, re:  writing tomorrow.

Item 122:  Copy of letter from JT to SS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 5/7/1957, re:  thank you for check bringing account up to date, trust you will be successful in disposing of the furniture still on consignment.

Item 123:  Copy of letter from JT to ER, 67 Wall Street (NYC), 5/7/1957, re:  [French & Company].

Item 124:  Letter from ER to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 5/9/1957, re:  French & Company and the disposal of Dumbarton Oaks articles.

Item 125:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 12/20/1957, re:  delighted to learn both the Dumbarton Oaks account and that of Mr. and Mrs. Bliss will be liquidated in January.

Item 126:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 7/3/1958, re:  no check received, please give this matter immediate attention.

Item 127:  Memorandum from [?] to Mrs. Bliss, December 1958, [Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.)], re:  list of items on consignment at French & Company and Karekin Beshir.

Item 128:  Copy of letter from JT to MS, 210 East 57th Street (NYC), 3/25/1959, re:  payment for objects.

Item 129:  Letter from Janusz Ilinski to JT, Dumbarton Oaks (Washington, D.C.), 12/9/1959, re: French & Company.

Item 130:  Copy of letter from JT to Janusz Ilinski, City Investing Company (NYC), 12/21/1959, re:  wondering about [account information].