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Royall Tyler to Robert Woods Bliss, October 17, 1937

Finance Ministry

Budapest

17.X.37

Dear Robert.

Many thanks for your cable “EmperorBZ.1937.23. Magnificent”, which gave me great pleasure, and also reassured me with the news that the relief had reached you.

I’m sending you Lloyd’s insurance policy for it, in case you wish to keep it.

Poor old Fiedler had to put off his trip to the Vaterland. His son-in-law fell under a train in Switzerland and lost both legs. I had a note from F. the other day saying he was shortly starting, & going first to Gotha.

I’m leaving for London tomorrow, and I hope to hear, in the next few days, news that will enable me to make some plans for the future. I’ll let you know as soon as I know.

In London, I’ll try to get a look at those rings of which I sent you the catalogue,Catalogue of the Superb Collection of Rings Formed by the Late Monseiur E. Guilhou, of Paris, Comprising Rings of the Classical Period, Including Egyptian, Phoenician, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Rings, Rings of the Dark Ages, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Modern Times . . . Which will be Sold by Auction . . . on Tuesday, the 9th of November 1937, and Three Following Days (London: Sotheby and Co, 1937). and about which you must let Bill have instructions, if you want anything. As it’s such a well known collection, I think we’d better, if you are after anything, get SpinkSpink & Son, London, an auction house that principally deals with coins and paper money. to do the bidding. The “Ring” is sure to be in operation where those rings are concerned.

I’ve been seeing here a friend of yours, Miss Mary (Polly) Randolph,Mary (Polly) Randolph has not been identified. who came here with a letter for me. She worships Bpest, and is enjoying it thanks to the training SipossEmery Siposs (1893–1948), Mildred Barnes Bliss’s and Robert Woods Bliss’s personal exercise trainer. The Blisses encouraged Siposs to move to Washington, D.C., after they moved there permanently in 1933. He later relocated to California. Alice Hughes (in “A Woman’s New York,” Reading Eagle [October 1, 1946]) described Emery Siposs: “In Santa Barbara, Cal., I ran across an odd little 5-feet-2 man named Emery Siposs, a Hungarian physical director who keeps wealthy old people alive and healthy long after their hearts have started skipping and their arteries hardening. Siposs, as everyone calls him, is the indispensible man at this fabulously rich seaside resort where folks come from far and near to take his treatments. The Harvey Firestones, of Akron are there; the George [sic] Woods Bliss’ of Dunbarton [sic] Oaks; the Stanley McCormicks, of Boston; the Atherton Richards, of Washington, and many more make a shrine around Siposs. He wrestles, pummels and exercises them way beyond his 122 pounds’ worth and he gets results. He used to work on President Rooseveelt, on William Donovan. When Secretary of State Byrnes grew ill in Paris, Siposs was sent for but his work held him back. He lectures in medical schools; is no physician but has standing with the profession. One of his brothers was physical director of Hitler’s armies. I asked one of his patients what Siposs did for him and he said, ‘He gives me bounce.’ Well, there you have it.” The Bliss Papers contains a list of Siposs exercises, dated ca. 1950, as well as five folders of photographs of exercise, HUGFP 76.74p, box 17. gave her for it.

Much love to you both

R. T.

 
Associated Places: London (United Kingdom)
Associated Artworks: BZ.1937.23