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320 Tappan Street Brookline, Mass. October 21, 1954

Mrs. F.W. Jacobs Maine State Library Augusta, Maine

Dear Mrs. Jacobs:

In spite of my tardy acknowledgement of your prompt answer to my inquiry concerning the Hartley items I wish to place, I do appreciate your letter. Briefly, my idea is to place the small collection I have where they may be used for display in connection with the life and work of Marsden Hartley - the sort of display which means so much to young children who are manifesting an interest in the arts and those who have made their mark in the field of the arts. Such displays in libraries brought much joy to me as a child and I know that is what my uncle had in mind when he began the collection he had - "for the boys and girls in Maine." He told me, with tears in his eyes, that he had had nothing to study or to see, when he was a child, which would have been an inspiration to him, and would have enriched his life. The collection I have is small, but significant. It includes some of his sketch books; photographs and snapshots of him and of some of his friends; His own copy of his book "Adventures in the Arts" - Two small oil sketches, sent to me in 1912(?) the framed photographed [sic] of the teacher whom he adored and who turned the tide of his life by giving him a copy of Emerson's Essays; (Nina Waldeck) A framed photograph of Walt Whitman - autographed- a framed letter written by Walt Whitman with a card below it written by M.H. explaining that the person it was written to was a friend of his - etc. Several things that he was most eager to have preserved were in his childhood home and had been in our home from the time my mother was married. They include the "Corn pitcher" and the "Wheat pitcher" mentioned in his writings - the cups and saucers which he mentions also - one "A Souveneir from Staley Bridge" and the other from Blackpool. An Italian wine bottle; severalpieces of pottery and a few other things I can't recall at the moment. I might even consider giving the most beautiful Japanese Buddha which he gave me years ago. It is only six inches high and carved of sandalwood, enclosed in a case with double doors. It is a very rare piece.

If you wouldn't have room or use for all these things to be used as I he.ve had in mind, I would prefer not to send any of them for I want them to be kept intact as a single collection. I assure you I understand perfectly what your problem is as to storage space and would not be in the least offended should you have to refuse them.

Sincerely yours,

Norma Berger