Documents

DateSeptember 30, 1889

Terms

Documents
Ink
Paper
Deerfield

Object numberD1118G

DescriptionLetter, manuscript (ink) on paper, from George Sheldon of Deerfield, addressed to George Tolman of the Concord Antiquarian Society. Regarding payment for legal advice regarding relationship with Cummings E. Davis. "Mr. Davis is a born collector. To him there is little else worth living for. He has put part of his life into every article in his house + every one is precious in his sight. He has done a great work. Very few can fully sympathize with him. I can fully. This sympathy and appreciation is what he needs, and what he must have to make your transaction with him the success it should be. The Society, and Mr. Davis, it was easy to see, are somewhat antagonistic. Out of sympathy. Out of harmony. This must not continue. You have bought Mr. Davis' collection. You must now buy him. Give him your confidence + your sympathy. Make him your confidential agent. You can make no better investment. Mr. Davis has years [in him?], and he can add greatly in the value of the collection, or he can do you great harm in various ways, direct + indirect. Keep him interested to increase the collection. Let him have money to use in that direction (with necessary limitations) + I think he will give a good account of it. Let him be sole monarch of all he surveys. He is restive under the restriction he is under + wants to ignore it. Let him do so + allow him to consider the collection his own property + foster his pride in it. Above all, first + last, have him make a catalogue. Hear all his stories + write them down. To him each article tells a story. You must have this which gives value to the article beyond age or form. It will be a great labor. It will take months with a good assistant. An assistant who will take orders from him, the patient under affliction + infliction. With the right person everything will go smoothly, I think. I had a long talk with Mr. Davis on this very point + urged it strongly as due to him, to keep up the "Davis Collection" which would be otherwise scattered + shall in future additions, I have done...."

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