1952–April 1953

Printed: 1

211 Jesse Hall Columbia, Mo.

January 21, 1953Dear George:

I have been guilty of everything you have been accusing me of for not having answered your letter this long time. The fact is that I have been trying in the meanwhile to collecty my thoughts about this coming summer and formulate some plan. So far none has come out, except that I now feel pretty definitely that I'll not be coming to Europe. Recently, Cyprus has somewhat caught up with me, for I learned at the meetings after Christmas that Benson would be going out to Gordion and then Curium this summer and then I have heard from and written to Benson. Unfortunately, we were not able to get together at Christmas time, for he came through Columbia after I had already left for Chicago. We shall have to make what arrangements we can by letter, which is not the most satisfactory way.

As soon as I heard from him, I wrote Rodney suggesting that I send him the field notebooks and have them all microfilmed in preparation for having them sent back to Cyprus with Benson. Then there would be a record here and I could use the films for my work. I'm waiting now to hear from Rodney. Also, I shall try to get to Benson a copy of all the relevant writing of Pete( of which I have the scripts. I wish I could get to talk with Benson, and especially would like to work with him at Curium, but that seems impossible this year.

My present plans, still somewhat vague, are to try to take my sabbatical leave the year after next, 1954-55, using both summers. I shall apply for a Fulbright, perhaps for Turkey since Greece seems so impossible these days, and for a few other grants to insure that I can swing it, for I shall be getting only half salary and that will not see the family through the 15 months. If these plans should work out, then I would certainly like to go at the EB settlement at Curium. As things develop in this program, I'll let you know. Perhaps that way I might have some time with Benson at the tail end of his work in Cyprus.

We have been seeing bits in the paper about your continued success at Curium, especially the finding of more mosaics. Gladys is most eager to have some news of these for ARCHAEOLOGY and hopes that you will get together a picture article with a short text on their significance and then photos with longish captions. She has had all the other important excavations reported this way and wants to keep her record of getting all the latest news to her readers as fast as possible. If you have good color photos of the mosaics it might be possible to use one for the cover, though for this she usually needs some financial help and arranges to split the cost, the supplier of the color film then getting the cut for his own further use.

Again my apologies for the long delay. I look forward to your reactions and news from Cyprus. My best to Joe, Christofis Christo, Savvi and Andreas and all good luck with your work.

Handwritten: signature

PS. Just had Dikaios here to lecture on Enkomi at the inauguration of our new Central Missouri society of the AIA, which I hope will flourish. He was very well received and gave a fine talk.