1953: McFadden's death (1 of 2)

THE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 33RD & SPRUCE STREETS, PHILADELPHIA 4

June 6, 1953Dear John:

Many thanks for your letter. The sketch, alas, was a tracing from Dr. Kidder's Joe's made by one with no claim at all to artistic ability, mechanical or otherwise, your humble servant. Sorry it was so bad, but I was in a hurry.

For Curium the powers that be have decided on a one year's program from September 1953 to August 1954, designed to complete such excavation which are obligated to do, and to finish up as best we can the publications as we are hanging fire, primarily Bamboula, Apollo, and the theatre-bath complex. They have asked me to go out and direct this program. A better equipped person for dealing with Cypriote archaeology could easily be found, but one gathers that financial and practical reasons, e.g. having a university Museum person there, dictated. George left a fund and certain other bequests to the Museum which make the program possible for us. Curium House was left to the any long-term program there possible for us while we are there; Cyprus government, which will make it available to us while we are there; after that they will take it over. The authorities here are not in favor of continuing at Curium beyond the end of the program. I know you will regret this decision, but there is no choice.

I am glad to hear about your publication of the terracottas. We will be glad to have it when it comes. I think Ellen will be able to proceed with it fairly promptly; I have not yet been able to talk to Dr. Alfred Kidder, photographic work. About the funds for the necessary who would be willing, I think it likely that, if it is a question only of [handwritten: ...] we could arrange to have the work done here. Our photographer, Reuben Goldberg, is very competent, as you may know, and I'm sure he could do the work to your satisfaction. I don't believe there would be any charge to you for the work, if we did it here. If this seems a reasonable way out, please let me know. If, however, cash has to be found, I will endeavor to produce it. We certainly want to arrange this matter for you.

I should be very glad to have a list of the terracottas you consider desirable. It would help a great deal in the selection. The Museum, I feel sure, would be more interested in exhibited pieces; but those which have interest from other points of view should certainly be considered also. We are notably lacking in Cypriote terracottas of any kind.

I am leaving Philadelphia the evening of the 11th. If you can let me know about the photographic fund before then I will be able to arrange for it whichever way is necessary. My address in Turkey will be: Amerikan Hastanesi, P.K. 14, Polatli, Turkey, in case you want it.

Again best wishes to you. Let me know of anything I can do for you.

Sincerely,

Handwritten: Roger Edwards

P.S. Ellen will be glad to have the sketch for whoever... [illegible]

P.P.S. Hope your photographs will be done with more care than some of the ones for me in the field (?), but I expect we'll be here only part-time.