DLA036-0027 Translation
DR OTTÓ LÉGRÁDY
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, PESTI HÍRLAP
Budapest, 4th October 1935
My dear and esteemed Friend,
Many thanks for sending the London News. I was particularly pleased to see the picture, which we also featured in Pesti Hírlap. I am sending you a copy of the relevant issue with this letter.
In all the long years of its existence, Pest County has made few such wise decisions as the one it took when it asked you to paint the portrait of State Secretary Preszly.[1] The news is particularly gratifying to me, since it offers the hope that we will be able to welcome you and fête you in Budapest once again. I am sure it will be easier for you to make up your mind to paint him here, since there are three of us besides Preszly who are eagerly awaiting the chance to be immortalised by your hand.
It was very kind of my friends – among whom I may count yourself – to think of the portrait and it is a great honour for me that you have accepted the commission. I am very grateful for it. I am sure that you recall, when previously there was talk of you painting in Budapest, that I offered you my flat on Rózsadomb.[2] I am sure I hardly need say that the offer stands unchanged and that you would do me an infinite honour
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by accepting it.
You mention the Prince of Wales in your letter. I can tell you that everyone here took His Highness to their hearts and he is currently the most popular person in Budapest and Hungary.
I was happy to hear that you had a pleasant summer and am also delighted to learn that you plan to write the story of the strivings, labours and glories of your life. I rate your significance among our peer group so highly that I regard it as your duty to the educated world to produce this book.
I am very glad to know that tried and tested English companies will carry your book and am delighted that by publishing it, I will be able to contribute to the dissemination of your great art in Hungary.
In the hope of seeing you again in the not too distant future, I send my deep respects to your wife[3] and my friendly regards to yourself.
Ottó Légrády
Editorial Note:
Doctor Ottó Légrády (1878–1948), editor-in-chief of the Pesti Hírlap newspaper from 1919 to 1944.
AH (translation)
12/06/2025
KB (summary)
22/10/2009
[1] Elemér Preszly (1877–1971) held the post of County Prefect twice, from 1920–1935, and again in 1936–1938. Between the two, he was a Member of Parliament and Deputy Home Secretary. See DLA036-0003 for the commission; DLA036-0002 for a draft reply from de László agreeing to the commission and the fee; commission also referred to in DLA036-0027 and DLA135-0060.
[2] District of Buda, overlooking the Danube and stretching into the hills. It was—and still is—a well-to-do district.
[3] Mrs Philip de László, née Lucy Madeleine Guinness (1870–1950) [11474]