May–December 1954

Curium

2 June 1954Dear Rodney:

Yrs. of 25 May. Am sure relieved to hear that the coins arrived. Name of one Gr. would sure have been mud if those mint coins had miscarried.

Chase Bank account seems to be in healthy state, as you say. Potential and June 1 rough accounting indicates that our total assets, potential and realized, amount to $12,000, our total commitments (according to my estimate, page 7) until time of departure, ca. $7,000. Leaving the balance of $5,000, nocessary for Cox and Benson. In this account I estimate Cyprus Airways at half value, $1,400, and I include all possible commitments, although many of the items may not be as costly as estimated and some may not be expended at all. But I think it prudent, may well turn out to be better than $5,000. But I think it prudent, none the less, to set the arbitrary date for our folding up as indicated in my last letter so as to run no risk of exiting into the Cox and Benson funds.

Sir Panyotis and I are just about wound up. This week he said he would make up the application to the Govt. for the transfer to me of the Cyprus Airways stock, and he hoped also that he would have ready for me at the end of the week the remaining money the mo[ney?] representing income tax withheld on the Fassouri dividend. Next week I hope to go to Nicosia to see the manager of the Cyprus Airways to see (a) if they will declare a dividend this July as last, and (b) if I can trade him a portion of the stock for transatlantic passages at a respectable rate and(c) what he could recommend my doing with the remainder of the stock.

Sir P. says he can do nothing about the amount still due us from the estate with reference to C, page 4, ca. $5,586 being due above and beyond the $3,500 already paid. If you think it would be too awkward to press Mr. Ewing for this, we will just have to write it off, that's all. Sir P. bought the Number from us at £400-0-0, as promised.

When I go to Nicosia I will see about trifty tych, etc., for Rover. You will let me know, won't you, please, what you think should be done with old jeep. I don't think there is room enough in the garage at Gordion for both cars. Possibly, of course, I could think of a reliable place to store one of them elsewhere, or you don't want the jeep disposed of now.

Are you and Cynthia going to send me a list of the books wanted in Philadelphia one of these days? I expect she will be getting vacation-minded soon, so it might be well to stir her up.

with reference to Hannah and the potential vacancy in the architectura department at Gordion, it occurs to me to suggest that you might find it economical and practical to import Chris to his to do drawing at Gordion next year, if she really won't come back. He would need full travelling expenses and a salary at least equivalent to what he would surely amount to in Cyprus for the time he is there, but that would surely amount to considerably less than the price of importing someone from America. George invested considerable in his education, and I think the dividends are worth collecting.