Acquisition file

Letters from Martin Davies to Julius Weitzner, making initial enquiries as to the potential acquisition of his picture. Initially there is speculation that this may be presented to the Gallery, but the picture is quickly established as being for sale rather than a potential gift. Weitzner largely communicates by telephone, he writes one letter expressing concern over potentially receiving payment in sterling rather than dollars however. Payment in convertable sterling is suggested as a compromise by Weitzner. The Reviewing Committee decide to place a bar on the export of the picture for 3 months from 13 August 1968, and give a price of £150,000 for the work. Martin Davies considers the picture to be under-valued, if it is a Duccio as he presumes. Correspondence with Weitzner making arrangements for the picture to be transported to the National Gallery for inspection by the Trustees. The picture eventually arrives on 20 August and the Trustees decide to purchase it. An official decision is taken on 27 August, at which point Martin Davies writes to Sherman Lee, director of the Cleveland Museum of Art, to inform him of the decision. Cleveland Museum had also been interested in acquiring the picture and had contirbuted towards the insurance of the work whilst a decision was being made on the potential acquisition, correspondence concerning a re-payment of insurance money to Cleveland is included. Correspondence discussing the fact that Weitzner continues to request payment by convertible sterling, this arrangement is eventually agreed to by the Treasury and Bank of England. Correspondence with Sir William Williams of the National Art Collections Fund regarding a potential contribution towards the acquisition. £10,000 is donated. Overview of the various trust funds the Gallery will be using in the acquisition, and how much will be taken from each fund. Correspondence with Esmond S. de Beer, who makes a contribution towards the acquisition (amount not disclosed).