DLA019-0191 Transcription

GERALDINE HOUSE,

ROLLS BUILDINGS,

FETTER LANE,

LONDON, E.C.4.

January 6th, 1931.

Philip Laszlo de Lombos, Esq.

3 Fitzjohns Ave, N.W.3.

Dear Mr. De Laszlo,

May I ask your kind attention in the following matter of Lord Rothermere:

Ex-Minister Ivan de Rakovszky^[1] writes to Lord Rothermere that you asked him to find an Hungarian painter to make a copy of your portrait of Lord Rothermere [4759]. He suggests Ede Ballo, describing him as an excellent artist and copyist.^[2]

While in Budapest I think I heard that the copy is being done. For the sake of caution I have to inquire with you before I

submit the letter to Lord Rothermere. Perhaps it was Ballo himself who was already at work.^[3] In any case I think you will know whether anything has been done in this matter.

I shall greatly appreciate your kind answer and with bes wishes for the New Year,

I remain, | Yours very faithfully

Dr Nandor Fodor

[In another hand in the bottom left margin] Mrs. Moncreiffe, / Combe Court, / Chiddingfold / Surrey

SMDL

17/06/2018

[1] Iván Rakovszky de Nagyrákó et Kelemenfalva (1885–1960), Hungarian politician. Served as Interior Minister between 1922 and 1926.

[2] Ede Balló (1859-1936), Hungarian artist. Trained at the Mintarajziskola under Bertalan Székely, at the Vienna Academy in 1881 and at the Munich Academy from 1882 to 1885. Worked in Madrid and Rome. Best known as a copyist of Velázquez and the Dutch masters. He was a professor at the Budapest Academy of Fine Arts from 1894 to 1923.

[3] The copy [4761] of the portrait of Lord Rothermere [4759] was made by the Hungarian artist József Mányai (b. 1875) and remains in the collection of the Inner Temple, London. See de László’s reply to this letter, DLA019-0190, letter from de László to Nandor Fodor, 8 January 1931.