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Robert Woods Bliss to Royall Tyler, April 15, 1948

2750 Que Street N.W.

Washington 7. D.C.

April 15, 1948

Royall Tyler, Esquire

International Bank for Reconstruction & DevelopmentThe International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), established in 1944, became operational in 1946 as the original institution of the World Bank Group. It was a cooperative organization of 188 member nations that originally promoted sustainable development and reconstruction to nations devastated by the Second World War. See letter of June 28, 1947.

77 Champs Elysees

Paris

Dear Royall,

The upbraiding that Mildred and I gave Jack McCloyJohn Jay (“Jack”) McCloy, an American lawyer and banker who was the second president of the World Bank, between 1947 and 1949. The “upbraiding” was over Royall Tyler’s delayed departures for the United States due to his obligations in Europe for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. has had some result which we now believe will break the jinx.

Mildred and I gave three cheers on the receipt of your letterSee letter of March 31, 1948. saying that you were to sail on May 7th. Unfortunately, the symposiumThe symposium was on the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople, April 22–28, 1948. will have become a thing of the past but we shall have much to talk about and many things to show you, so as long a time as possible will have to be consecrated to us.

By the way, your last envelope was addressed to me at 1750 Que Street, so please look above. It reached me all right on April 6th, but I think must have been delayed a day or two in its delivery.

Yesterday I received a letter from RattonCharles Ratton (1897–1986), a Parisian art and antiquities dealer and collector. Ratton studied at the École du Louvre before the First World War and was initially interested in medieval art. In the 1920s, he became interested in the “primitive” arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. He established shops in Paris at 76 rue de Rennes, 39 rue Laffitte, and 14, rue de Marignan. enclosing photographs of a very interesting little ivory medicine boxBZ.1948.15. of the 5th or 6th century. I have written him saying that you might drop in to see it and, if you thought it worthwhile, I requested him to send it to me or else let you bring it over. It is not my intention to over-burden you with objects and packages for the Blisses and it seems to me that this piece can be perfectly well sent to us through the mails. Judging from the photographs the little box is of considerable interest and perhaps worthy of being added to the collection.

A few minutes ago I talked with Betsy on the telephone and can report all of the family well. Please give much love to Elisina and keep from us both all you want.

Yours,

[unsigned]

 
Associated Artworks: BZ.1948.15