May–December 1954

Dear [handwritten: ?]. Roger: 25 May 1954 Yours of 7 arrived the day after I sent mine of 12; and yours of 19 came today. All the coins (in two detachemnts) arrived safely some time ago, and I should have acknowleged their reciept. only I forgot to; so herewith. As a matter of fact I gave the packages to Hiram directly on receipt, so that she could have the thrill of opening them. She did; how thrilled she was I cannot say; in any caee she was able to conceal any access of overjoy. By the last bank statement you had ca. 3050 dolls; since then estate has deposited 3500 more, and the other day I had a check from Agnes Stillwell for 675.80, which I gave to be processed for deposit into same account. So total in that account should be around $ 7200 at present. Have not talked with Hiram about stipend; but 2500 was what I also had in mind. She seems to have decided not to come back to Gordion again, too strenuous at her time of life, but to retire into her new mansion at New Haven and there fuss about. However being a woman she is likely to change her mind at any time. Have heard nothing more from Bollingen Foundation and am about to write again to stir them up; but even if they do not come through I think we should be able to cover Cox and Benson with about $ 5000 and that that sum may well be in hand from remains of Curium fund anyway. At the meeting of the manafing comtee in New York two weeks ago I saw the Gwatkin, who asked if we had designs on the B en son for next year, as he was being thought of as filler-inner for Saul W'berg for one year - I said yes indeed we did, and suppose that by this time you have given him sufficient assurance of funds either from Bollingen or from Curium remainders. As I said in my last, I do not pretent to understand the local Curium finances and in no position to fight with Gloria about them; I suppose the overdraft is either a mistake, or due to bills which may have come in after you left. But as it was less than $ 25 I agreed to its being paid, subject to resettlement between you and Gloria on your return. No more news about Ecbadana. May be nothing in it. Suppose we will be pounced upon to do it if it does come through; as result of Afghanistan fritteries it seems to have been decided that Cyrus can't dig and never will, and doesn't want to go in the field anyway - it is hinted that he is expected to look for another job. As for our more famous colleague Dr. Goon it seems to the management of the board that he can hardly be entrusted with another field mission. So I don't quite know whom they have except us for Adana. One piece of sad news: maybe said do before - J. Prichard has accepted a job at Berkeley Calif and will be off next month. The little Dyson successor to Francis Steele not expected until the fall. Anthes in Egypt now, hope ful of an Egyptian dig. Hiram says yes she thinks 2500 a minimum living wage. Now have full dog population at home. Anada still rather thin but is developing feeding apparatus and I am in hopes. Very expensive; she gets cod liver oil and milk and liver, to make sturdy children. Also she is less spry than usual - likes to sit occasionally and not jump all the time, which I take to be a symptom. Izzy has infected eye, but it has improved greatly. Fliby not to have children for the present. any ticks. Also tent caterpillars. They think I planted rose bushes for them to eat. having radishes out of garden; takes much more time than when Mehmet Bakal did all the work. Letter from Raci: left Gordion in good condition after last visit. Still has vague hopes of trip to Cyprus. Time unspecified. Yes should think representative coll of sherds satisfactory; but if anything good can be got so much the better - I mean things that would glue up. Machteld left Friday; now in Amsterdam, takes plane to Istanbul tonite. Will visit Gordion; also thinking of going to Cyprus - thibk she wants to go to Enkomi with Kantor if she is still in Cyprus. Sam K left ten days ago, for summer in Istanbul. Milly to go later, after finisheing teaching at Penn State and settling offsprings for summer. They will preobably visit you in Cyprus some time unspecified. My very best greetings to the Mabel, if she is there still - you wrote that she was coming and that you intended to put her to work; but did she intend to stay very long and work? Here one hears only rumors of her; said to be so busy in thens that in arush to finish wtatever there is still to be done there. As for me since I got home in December I have got hardly a damn thing done; and not yet got even half the Gordion pictures due out of Reuben. All very discouraging. He is going to Europe this summer and so Nothing- but NOTHING in a photographic line can be expected to be done once he escapes - probably leaving much of the Gordion work undone Well I guess I had better close on this discouraging note - almost time to go, and I seem to have pretty well covered the landscape anyhow. Best from the dasmels.

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