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Royall Tyler to Robert Woods Bliss, June 23, 1949

67 rue de Lille67 rue de Lille, the former Hôtel Duret, constructed in 1872–1874 by David de Pénanrun. Beginning in January 1949, the building served as the Parisian headquarters of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

Paris VII

23 June 1949

Dearest Robert,

Jack Thacher has just lunched with me and given me your message.

Unhappily, there’s not a chance of my being able to get away in September. It’s a cruel thought, to have to renounce the hope of cruising with you and Mildred in the Greek seas. But there it is. The BankThe International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. has plans that are maturing rapidly, and I shall have to be on the spot. I’m most grateful to you for having wanted me.

I take it that you may spend part of the autumn here and hereabouts. So I trust I shall see much of you at that time. As soon as you begin to see your dates, please let me know, so that I may try to make mine fit in.

Jack also asked me to let you know if I had any ideas on where you might find a yacht. I at once said “Benaki.”Antonis Benakis (1873–1954), a Greek collector in Alexandria who established the Benaki Museum in Athens in 1930 with a collection of more than 37,000 Islamic and Byzantine objects. Jack told me he believed you had written to B., or were writing to him. Nothing else occurs to me. B. might offer you his yacht—or at least give you some useful pointers on where to look for another.

I’m fearfully busy here, with many more trips to do than I can find time to handle in the way I’d like to. Interesting, though.

Prices of the sort of things we’re interested in are running very high. You’ll hear from Jack on that subject, no doubt.

Elisina is at Antigny. I’ve had one week-end there this year, and hope for a few days at the 14 July—Apart from that. . . .

Much love to you both.

Yrs always

R.T.

 
Associated People: John Seymour Thacher