DLA123-0189  Multiple letters; Transcriptions

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

January 12, 1922.

My dear Sir Philip:

I was very glad to have your holiday letter addressed to me from London. It pleased me to know that I had a place in your happy holiday thoughts and that you so pleasantly recalled your experiences while painting in the White House.

The portraits were exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery^[1] and we were very happy to send them. You will probably be interested to know that the painting of Mrs. Harding [5568] attracted very much the greater attention. Everybody seems to think you hit a very wonderful likeness of her.

We shall be glad to welcome you to Washington again when you find yourself able to come.

With very best wishes, I am, | Very truly yours,

Warren G Harding [signed]

[Draft reply in de László’s hand]

Dear Mr President.

I thank you most heartily for your delightful letter, which gave me great pleasure. I wish to express my grateful thanks ^to ^you for allowing your portrait [5569] to be exhibited in New York, [of?] [illegible] Ex:

I am glad to say I had very good ^interesting reports. I am only sorry to say, that ^it is with much regret I am unable to be at present in ^to visit now. your hospitable country when so many interesting people wish to be painted – but unfortunately I was lately very ill with influenza for several weeks, & have been advised now to go to the [South?] of France to recuperate. I contemplate to come sail for Am: in the Autumn, to which I very much look forward & ^I thank you ^[now?] Mr ^President - in anticipation for your expression of welcome, to which honour I look forward very much- May I ask you kindly to [illegible] my respectful greetings

[In the margin of page 2]

to Mrs Harding, & believe me, Yours sincerely & devotedly

Editorial Note:

Warren Gamaliel Harding (1865-1923); 29th President of the United States of America (1921-1923); for biographical notes, see [5569].

LR

26/03/2020