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Royall Tyler to Mildred Barnes Bliss, August 25, 1930

Antigny-le-Château
Par Arnay-le-Duc
(Côte d’Or)
25.VIII.30Monday.

I have just received from Cassirer estimates of the FigdorAlbert Figdor (1843–1927), a Viennese banker and collector. sale,Figdor Collection sale, Paul Cassirer Gallery, Berlin, September 29–30, 1930. dearest Mildred. No. 41, the Bosch picture, is estimated RM 300,000 = $60,000.Figdor Collection sale, Paul Cassirer Gallery, Berlin, September 29–30, 1930. See Max J. Friedländer, Die Sammlung Dr. Albert Figdor, Wien (Berlin: Cassirer, 1930), no. 41, pl. 27. Dutch painter Hieronymus Bosch’s (ca. 1450–1516) painting, variously known as The Wayfarer, The Peddler, and The Prodigal Son, oil on panel, ca. 71.5 cm D, was acquired at the Figdor sale by the Amsterdam dealer Jacques Goudstikker (1897–1940), who sold the painting in 1931 to the Museum Boijmans van Beuninger, Rotterdam. Of course, as you know, the estimate is sans engagement: the picture may go for more, or less, as the case may be.

The sale is on Sept. 30. Please let me have a cable, as soon as you can, telling me whether you want me to have a try for the Bosch, and if so how much you would be prepared to give for it.

If you wanted me to go to Berlin, I am pretty sure I’d be able to arrange to do so at that time, but I should like to know as far in advance as possible.

Thank God I’ve got away here at last! Hayford and I are at work on the book. Arthur Salter left us this morning, and we’re expecting Jeremiah Smith this week.

Bill sends you his fondest love; so does Elisina hers. Bill is very well.

Bless you, and much love to you and Robert.

Yrs
R. T.