January–June 1947

CURIUM EXCAVATIONS EPISKOPI, LIMASSOL CYPRUS

25 March, 1947Director, The University Museum, 33rd and Spruce Streets, Philadelphia.

Dear Mrs. Godfrey,

Thank you very much for your letter of March 4th. In answer to your question about the $1000.00 which I have contributed in excess of my commitments for the fiscal year ending June 30th 1947, this was not intended for Curium Excavations. I'm afraid my estimate of $8000.00 for the current year has proven to be far less than has been necessary to meet expenses of carrying on the work of the expedition. These have amounted to about eight hundred dollars a month exclusive of the Youngs joint scholarship. I am enclosing a check herewith to the favor of the University Museum to the amount of $1000.00 as a contribution to the general purposes of the museum exclusive of Curium Excavations. I would have no objection, however, to any part of it being used for the Mediterranean section. My preference is publications which is one of the fields you mention in your letter as in need of support, but I leave the disposition of this sum entirely to your discretion. For your information I made an additional contribution to Curium Excavations yesterday of $2000.00. This has been deposited in favor of our account at the Ottoman Bank at Limassol. I am not asking the Museum to contribute their share of 25 % of any expenses in excess of the budget for the very good reason that this has been exceeded on my own initiative. I don't think we could have struggled on for much less than we have very well, and I hope to show in another letter that we have been fortunate enough to accomplish a good deal in a short time and under the circumstances at a very moderate expense. In regard to the neolithic dig, I shouldn't have proposed it unless I thought it might well prove to be rewarding for its own sake. Any other benefits that might be derived from it should be looked upon as incidental. It is my view, however, that the Antiquities Department here, which has been hard up since the war, would be very pleased for the help extended to them, and that their gratitude will be reflected in any division of finds under discussion at that time.