January–April 1954

Dear G. Roger: Yours of 18 March, with supplement of 19.

Wednesday 24 March 1954About Sitora funds: Gloria made a big excavation in the files and found the following: in about 1946 George strongly recommended the excavation of Sotira to the board, and said he would match any appropriation made by the board up to a maximum of $ 1500. After some time the board agreed to the expenditure of $1000 at Sotira: this was not a special or additional appropriation, but merely approval of devoting that much of the general Curium fund to the Sotira purpose. So the money was drawn from the regular excavation account - expended as it were in Sotira instead of at Curium itself. George gave an additional $ 500 to the project, in accordance with his promise to match. Thus the sum recorded by you as having been spent in pounds represents, as I guessed, the $ 1500 with a slight overdraft. As to the other $ 500, I suppose that George had it in his head that he owed it (by matching the board's 1000, of which he had already paid 500) and I have no doubt that he intended to produce it when the time came for Dikaios' finishing-up campaign. I hope this is clear; there are no Sotira funds here or anywhere else; but George owed still (and no doubt intended to pay in due course) the balance of $ 500 promised by him. Thus it would seem entirely justifiable to devote the roughly $ 350 from the Curium fund to this purpose. As to the Dikaios publication: Ellen says that the project as outlined by you would about fit into monograph size; but she and I agree that he should be encouraged to be as little exhausting as possible - a sherd-by sherd account, e.g., would seem excessive, and in Khirokitia there is a good deal of padding. Why not say that is the limit, and the more it could be cut down the better?

About the Hesperia: I should suppose the price should be the $ 175 which was the price agreed to between Habelt and me, with the approval of Lucy Shoe, minus the value of the supplement which was I think $15 - or something like $ 160 in all.

Thanks for oriental club check. As to household expenses, rent is now $ 159 a month; water comes free; I have spent about $ 35 for oil for heat for two months, say about 15 a month in winter; and there has not been an electric bill as yet - they are afraid to come in (dogs) and read the meter. But the token bill sent for the first month was for $ 8 which they said was the average of the bill paid formerly by former tenant I assume). I would guess that heat will come to about 6 mo. at 15, and 6 mo. at 5 or 120 in all; light etc. to about 100 for the year. Grand total with rent say around 2050 for the year. But we can go into these things on your return.

I will send the list sent by Virginai when I write with an envelope. We found no other copy here in the museum, so it is possible that George went off with it. Caroline is still away, but I have intentions on her return of asking for more of the Curium archaeological kodachromes, which must exist. Your film arrived yesterday, came out well; the pix of the figs have been duly sent to Baltimore. Of Ermoyennis we remember nothing here, but will look. It is more than possible that the plans etc. used in George's A.J.A. article were returned from the printers to George directly, or to Pete and then to George; in either case they would be in Villanova, and I will duly beard Caroline on her return.

Fro and I agree that it would be best to sell the Cyprus Airways stock as soon as a buyer can be found, without waiting for the problematical divident. You might as well have the benefit of the money while there, and if it is to be difficult to dispose of, you might not get rid of it before leaving Cyprus, which would not be advantageous. I wonder if there is a market for it in England? The Fassouri arrangement sounds very satisfactory, and should put you in funds for some time to come, sparing account. Fro does not want to poke up Ewing again at present; but I told him that when he does, he should ask if the estate might now be paid in Cyprus in pounds (Fassouri pounds being reserved for the purpose by Sir P.) as you do not have clear title to the equipment until it is paid for to the estate; and also to ask that the $600 be paid by the estate into the Chase Bank account. Fro also agrees as to the expendable equipment. Photographic and surveying things should come here; but use your judgement about what will be useful in Gordion, and leave there. Fro also suggests taking to Gordion the Landrover, instead of selling it; our own jeep is now slightly elderly. Let me know your reaction to this. If you agree, arrangements will have to be made for its entry into Turkey. I could do nothing about a fellowship for Mr. Seltman; the application was not official, and arrived too late in any case. I will write him; perhaps something could be done for the year after next. In the meantime I am writing to Fluffy Thompson to see if there are any sorts of grants to be had at the Numismatic Society, which should be interested in the subject.

Suspect that Adana is beginning to be interesting; as to Filby there was no idea on anybody's part as to when she should be. I want in each case to be aware in time to whisk away the odoriferous lady, before Izzy and Isty begin to fight, and before all the local dogs begin to congregate outside the fence. As to the pineys, they were all pink, the white ones had all been bought up; but in any case I think the little animals have dug them up by now anyway. I have planted six rows of peas, two of sweet peas, and four climbing rose bushes. Am waiting for weather to get warmer for other more interesting things; but it still is freezing at night.