May–December 1954

Dear G. Roger: July 23 - 1954

Two letters arrived. Congratulations on Cyprus Airways deal; sounds most satisfactory. I think it is as well that wa have this money in hand, as I finally got an answer from Bollingen Foundation which does not close the door entirely but is at best not a bit encouraging. I guess that Jack and Hi will have to be taken care of out of Curium residue.

About the mosaic: when you say there is plenty of money I hope you were not counting too much on Bollingen. The board appropriated $ 600 of Museum money for the specific purpose of digging for another mosaic, on the tearful plea of George and on his say-so that if another was found Peter Megaw would agree to a division and we would get one. I should therefore think that a look for a mosaic is rather an obligation, despite the fact that the account in which George had put the funds was all spent on other things. You had therefore better have va look. If no good mosaic is found the expense will be trifling - excavation only. The big expenses which were included in George's estimate are of course lifting and shipping if one is found and there is a division. But I am sure that this fund of $ 600 is down in the minutes of the board, and they will want to know where it went.

Sorry to bother you about these little things at the last moment. About three years ago we lent to Cyprus Museum the inscribed sherds published by Mrs. Dohan, as they came from Kafizin where Mitford was digging again and finding more pieces. He wrote thereafter that he had "wedded" every single one of our pieces to new ones. I think that Mitford is now fully occupied at Paphos and probably finished at Kafizin, and in view of this the matter might be wound up - that is, we might have our fragments back and close out the loan. I don't suppose we have any claim on the new pieces, except that those whom God hath joined etc.; would suggest using your judgement in cleaning up this odd end. If they want to give us the newly-joined bits that would be best; if not, I suppose some sort of swap would be in order by which we get some of the new stuck onto ours, and they keep some of ours stuck onto the new. But might as well leave everything as clean as possible.

Have just talked with Ru Anthes; he says by all means put the rover papers in the name of Henry Fischer. No doubt H.F. can get his international driver's license here, and if possible they want to avoid his going to Cyprus. Driving from Beirut to Egypt seems to be out of the question because of the Arab Isreals little differences, so the rover would have to be shipped to Alex or to Said. Hence the disire to know shipping schedules in advance; if Peter Megaw or other would be willing to undertake shipping so that rover would get there early in January, well and good; if not Henry would go out by way of Cyprus, and do it himself - but aiming at a particular ship, so that he might avoid the possibility of spending say three weeks in Cyprus waiting for a boat. About the icebox I gave my regrets. The camera you will bring here for delivery to Henry. (The wide angle one, if it is in need, might come back too, for cleaning?) What about the Polaroid? They are advertising a new and smaller model which I am thinking of for Gordion; but wonder whether you have experimented with the one there, and if it is any good. My impression was of an elaborate machine practically invisible because of the dust. Apparently George didn't use it much; whether from disinclination or because it was bust I don't know.

Have finished Gordion A.J.A. and am going ahead with Gordion I.L.N. Progress slow and painful. Hope to get away for a couple of weeks in latter part of August but that depends on finding a relaible dog-watcher. Adana is in disgrace because last saturday when neither I nor Filby was looking she made a raid on Filbys nest and killed one of the puppies. Have to keep her chained. But all the rest of the children are doing very well - Adana's nine, and Filby's eight. Except that they are beginning to eat, and costing poppa a fortune. I think I will keep a dark female of Adanas and a white male of Filbys; but the rest do not seem to be moving very fast. Maybe will put an ad in the main line times. Would like to get rid of superfluous as soon as possible, before they wrap their little claws around the heart. Have found places for four so far, but that still leaves eleven available.

Ellen says tender greetings; but the greek-english dictionary of the ethnikos kyrix is out of print and does not seem to be catchable. Am about to interview Caroline about tnings of Curium that might be at Bloomfield; have been cultivating her of late and she pretty smoothed down. Says she wishes I would come back, and thedogs could live in a hut in the woods]

My best to all the assembled tribe, Langs, Stillwells, Megaws, Bensons etc.

Handwritten: signature

Printed: FOLD SIDES OVER AND THEN FOLD BOTTOM UP AND SEAL. NO OTHER ENVELOPE SHOULD BE USED.