DLA076-0171  Transcription

Robertson & Bruce, Ltd.

Fine Art Dealers.

Panmure Salon.

90. Commercial Street.

Dundee

21st Dec., 1932.

P.A. de Laszlo Esq., M.V.O.,

3, Fitzjohn’s Avenue, N.W.3.

Dear Mr. de Laszlo,

You will have received my letter of the 19th, with enclosure (Lady Airlie(s [sic] letter).

My reason for writing you at this moment is that I have just had an urgent telephone message from Mr. Macbeth of Dunira,^[1] informing me that he, his wife^[2] and family leave for Australia on 22nd January, and don’t know how long they will be away, as both he and his wife have been ill, and I presume the doctor has ordered this chance.

He is very anxious to have the portraits done before he goes away [3918][3919][7014] and asked me to write you immediately and let you know.^[3] I think he would agree to your suggestion as regards size of portraits, and I do not think that there will be any difficulty about the honorarium, as he is pretty well of [sic], and he will quite understand what he paid you for the portrait of his wife [3921]. I am sure there will be no difficulty in that direction whatever, but as already stated, he anxious that the portraits should be done before they leave for abroad.

He wondered if it would be possible for you to come down and spend a few

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days and paint the portraits before their departure. That would perhaps mean just a little after the New Year. I think there is plenty of light in their rooms where you could work.

I was wondering if you could possibly manage it. The little change might do you good, and it is a beautiful district, and probably the healthiest part of Scotland. Perhaps you had better write him direct and also write me, letting me know what arrangements you have been able to make.

I will now close, as I am anxious to catch this post in time so that you can have it the first thing to-morrow.

With kind regards to you both,

Yours faithfully,

John Robertson

Editorial Note:

John Robertson (1862–1943), fine art dealer; for biographical notes, see [4149].

SMDL

18/01/2021