725 Michigan Blvd. Pasadena, California June 9, 1933. Mr. W. St.J. Miller, 703 Second Street, West Calgary, Alberta, C a n a d a . Dear Mr. Miller: Your letter of June 2nd received and clearance papers are being filed in order to get the picture out of bond. There was no invoice with the picture for the customs officer so I am enclosing the Questionaire[sic]. If you will please take it to the American Consul and have it made out properly, I can then turn it over to the brokers here and get back the ten dollar deposit I had to make together with my affidavit as to the authenticity of the paint- ing, in lieu of the Consular’s invoice. Tomorrow I shall go to the express office with the custom brokers where they will open the picture. I will then drop you a card as to its condition. En- closed is a copy of my receipt which shows the money I have paid out in cash getting the picture to Los Angeles and also express on it from here to New York. These charges will have to be paid out of the $4,400. If I were to send the picture “collect” to my client, I am positive he would never open the box but return it “collect” so I am paying all charges feeling cer- tain you will understand. When my client offered to pay $4,000.00, he was willing to assume the packing, express charges, insurance, etc., but sine Mr. Lane insists upon $4,400. my client refuses to pay carry- ing charges and I assumed, rather than lose the sale, that you would want me to pay them for you and let you know. As to my commission: You are an Art Dealer and know what the average art dealer does in the way of com- missions. They usually divide, especially where the other dealer (and that is what I am) makes the sale. By rights, my commission should be ten percent of the selling price. If the picture is satisfactory, I think we shall have done a fine job in being able to sell it for cash at this time ant at the price Mr. Lane insists upon. I am hoping the sale will go through and that all con- [next] Mr. W. St.J. Miller -2- cerned will be happy over the outcome. I remember so well when Mr. George Lane bought the picture. I had the pleasure of selling it to him. He was one of Mr. Russell’s and my very good friend. I know Mrs. Lane quite well but an not well acquainted with Mr. Ernest Lane. Very truly yours, P.S. Will let you know just as quickly as I hear from my client in New York. As I said before, he will pay cash if it is satisfactory and if he takes it, you should have the money very shortly. N.C.R.
[Transcribed by Melynda Seaton, 2011-11-02]