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Royall Tyler to Robert Woods Bliss, November 21, 1949

Hotel Normandy

Beyrouth (Lebanon)

21 Nov. 1949

Cable address: TYLER UNATIONS Beyrouth

Dear Robert.

Enclosed, I hope you will find 10 photos of things belonging to Bustros.Elias (Elie) Bustros, an antiquities dealer in Beirut, Lebanon. I’ve numbered them on the back, & noted dimensions in cm & in.

1 & 2. A charming (and very rare) little VIe cent Byz. capital,BZ.1950.24. found at Tyre, which I strongly recommend to you for D.O. $1,400.

3 to 9 incl. a lot of bronze, found at Latakieh on the Syrian coast,There were eight objects represented; possibly BZ.1950.26–27, a lamp and stand, were counted as one object. BZ.1950.25, BZ.1950.26–27, BZ.1950.28, BZ.1950.29, BZ.1950.30, BZ.1950.32, and BZ.1950.33. of interest for study as being decidedly Syrian in style. $1,500.

10 a little bronze enameled lamp,BZ.1950.19. of an exceedingly rare type for Byz. Found at St. Simeon, Syria. BustrosElias (Elie) Bustros, an antiquities dealer in Beirut, Lebanon. showed me a whole file of letters from Jojo Brummer,Royall Tyler’s nickname for Joseph Brummer. agreeing to pay $210 for this if Bustros would send it to N.Y. But Bustros didn’t know Jojo, & insisted on pre-payment. He now asks same price: $210.

BustrosElias (Elie) Bustros, an antiquities dealer in Beirut, Lebanon. would undertake to deliver these things in USA, CIF“Cost, insurance, and freight.” (or so I understood from him. I’d confirm).

If you are interested, I’d advise not bargaining. I’ve often bought from B.Elias (Elie) Bustros, an antiquities dealer in Beirut, Lebanon. & never bargained; and Seyrig,Henri Arnold Seyrig (1895–1973), a French archaeologist, numismatist, and historian. In 1929, he was appointed director general of antiquities of Syria and Lebanon. Seyrig created the French institute of archaeology in Beirut, which he headed for twenty years. head of the Archéo. Institute here (French) tells me he has done the same, and doesn’t regret it. In fact, I’d prefer not to bargain with Bustros,Elias (Elie) Bustros, an antiquities dealer in Beirut, Lebanon. as it would spoil the tacit understanding.

Now, I expect to be here till Dec. 15, but to be increasingly busy, and the last days before my final report goes in will be merry Hell. So I’d beg you to consider these things, and cable me soonest whether or not you want all or any of them, at the prices quoted.

There are a few other things of interest here, which I may have a crack at before leaving; but I can’t send photos. I’ll have to make up my mind as best I can, before leaving.

Just back from Jerusalem, where I was bowled over by the Mosque of Omar:The Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem. After the Siege of Jerusalem in 637, the Caliph Omar (579–644) traveled to Jerusalem to accept the surrender. The Mosque of Omar was built in its present design in 1193 in memory of this event. one of the most superb things I’ve ever seen, and essentially Byz. (late VIIth cent.). You & Mildred must see it. Off to Damascus tomorrow, & Baghdad next week.

Much love to you both

Yrs

R.T.

I can arrange with Bustros,Elias (Elie) Bustros, an antiquities dealer in Beirut, Lebanon. if you want the things, that payment will take place after their receipt over there.

 
Associated People: Joseph Brummer