DLA019-0130  Transcription

86, BOULEVARD MAURICE BARRÈS

NEUILLY-SUR-SEINE

July 6th 1931.

Dear Mr de Laszlo,

My husband asks me to write and thank you for your kind letter of June 27th. His biography of Maréchal Lyautey has just appeared in Paris, but unfortunately French publishers can not afford to print illustrations in their cheap little books! Your beautiful portrait of Lyautey [6118], purchased by the French Government for the Palace of Versailles, will appear in the English edition of my husband’s book.^[1] John Lane (the Bodley Head) intends to publish it soon, and André will naturally send you a copy, for your library.

We were enthusiastic over your recent Paris exhibition at Charpentier’s.^[2] Unfortunately, we could only drop in late in the afternoon, on the day of the vernissage, so we saw neither you nor the Charpentiers. But I visited several time the gallery during your exhibition, and I know no more splendid portrait than the one of the Duchess of Marlborough, now Mrs Balsan.^[3]

Please remember me to Mrs de Laszlo and believe me, | Very sincerely yours,

Simone André Maurois

SMDL

08/06/2018