Correspondence, notes, expense lists, and invoices for objects obtained by Gen. Munthe and shipped to Gertrude Bass Warner in Eugene [016]

Item

Title

Correspondence, notes, expense lists, and invoices for objects obtained by Gen. Munthe and shipped to Gertrude Bass Warner in Eugene [016]

Author

Munthe, Johan Wilhelm Normann

Recipient

Warner, Gertrude Bass, 1863-1951

Date

1929-03-09

Identifier

UA022_b005_f006_063_066

Description

Correspondence between Gertrude Bass Warner and General Normann Munthe

Transcript:
Peking, 9 March 1929.
My dear Friend,

I wrote to you some days ago, sending you full particulars, and enclosing the papers the same day they reached. The parcels were actually posted here on Feb. 23rd, but the consular papers had to be sent to Tientsin, they come back for completion—there are apparently always some news rules or regulations, and they did not know up till this day on which I wrote to you. You will notice the item of $56.00 for insurance. Were that was the rate Mr. Albert quoted me, 1%, and I had asked the insurance company to curb the value of the parcels, [viz] $5650. Their bill did not come in till 2 days ago, though I had put it down on my bill to you, and I was presumably surprised to find that their bill was not for $5[6].00, but for $16.00, a difference of 40 in your [favor]. I asked for explanations, and was told that 10% was the usual rate if it goes as freight, but as these parcels had been sent through the post office, they could quote a much lower rate. So compact: expenses 220 (less 40)= 180, total balance on this end not 770 but 730.

The Lui Sung-nien [sic, Liu Sung-nien?] roll I had remarked before I sent it. As I have told you so often, these old pictures must either be posted up on a frame like all mine use, or if you keep them as they are, they must be handled with the [Lui Seng nien] the greatest care. They should not be unnecessarily shown. In rolling them up they must be firmly and tightly rolled up; the least slack breaks the silk. The rolls should be rolled up evenly and firmly. When you have done that stand up—just one end of the roll against the top of a table. Flaunt your middle finger (right or left, as it suits) firmly on the top center part of the roll, grasp the roll around the middle with your full other hand. Now turn the roll with the full hand, tightening up the roll; your middle-finder pressing the roll against the table, thus making the core of the roll sets as a pivot. If you do this every time, you will be able to tighten up the roll properly. But always bear in mind: old paintings are old paintings, and must be handled with the greatest care, and should not be unnecessarily shown to everybody, but only on occasion and to people who understand. / I am looking forward to the spring: the winter has been such a trial to me these last 7 years. God has held His hand over me, or I should not be here now, but it is not always so easy. One thing is certain, when I get over there, I shall have gained an understanding and patience that nothing else could have given me.

All loving and true thoughts and wishes to you, my dear Friend,

Your friend,
Normann Munthe

End of transcript.
Transcribed by Tom Fischer.

Source

Gertrude Bass Warner Papers, 1879-1954

Repository

University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives

Institution

University of Oregon

Type

Text

Format

application/pdf

Rights

Rights Reserved - Free Access

Rights Holder

University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives

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