DLA017-0060  Transcription

34, Chapel Street,

Belgrave Square,

S.W.

Sept 20 – 1930

My dear Mr de Laszlo

I wonder if you could send me a tiny line – or get yr man of business to write to me –

Here is my story: – Knoedler in Paris had a months Exhibition last June & July of my portraits – It was done in a hurry – Knoedlers in London – packed up the 80 portraits – & annoyed French Customs I thought – Mr. W. Corry= my friend in Paris – took all trouble off my hands – & I never guessed at big expenses!!!

I unfortunately on 4 or 5 of them but very grand, extravagant prices on them – so that they should

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not sell!! except for a brilliant sum!! –

Well we were told £5000 [most?] the sum – now they say £15000 is what they (Knoedler in Paris) had to pay – Of course this is cruel – swallowing upp much more than I made in the whole thing – Of course I ought to have been told – to keep my prices very low & raise them by private letter later –

Now would you let me be told if there is any hope that by clever manipulation – or going myself to explain to the french authorities I could get it put fairly – straight?

I always understood that one got

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deposit money – returned to me? when pictures reached England again –

Why I ask you – is that I hear you had trouble in the same way –

I wish I had gone to Dicksen about their packing & forwarding to Paris – but London Knoedler took for granted they would do it for me –

And the man in London is shocked at the price – as he considers £5000 – not £15000 – is the correct sum! but adds of course, there may be new [taxes?]!

I hope to see you soon | Yrs ever

Violet Rutland

Editorial Note:

Violet Manners, Duchess of Rutland, née Marion Margaret Violet Lindsay (1856-1937), British artist

SMDL

12/01/2018