Correspondence between Megaw and Schaeffer on the display of a silver bowl at the British Museum and the end of their collaboration, with a copy of a letter from Megaw to HaynesClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer and Arthur Hubert Stanley Megaw

Printed: GOVERNMENT OF CYPRUS

Stamp: emblem

Handwritten or printed reference at top right, partly illegible: 56/1951?

DEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES, CYPRUS.

Nicosia, 8th November, 1951.

Dear Dr. Schaeffer,

Thank you for your letter from Ras Shamra. Before I received it I had written to Haynes, who has been looking after the Greek and Roman Department in Ashmole's absence, about the exhibition of the silver bowl in the British Museum. I enclose a copy. I think it covers all your points except that you are agreeable to exhibition and an announcement without a photograph at any time. But that will be clear from your letter to Kendrick.

The second silver bowl is being sent off to Plendereith, by the Governor's bag. I hope it reaches him without delay.

As regards your enquiry about treatments to clarify the faded paint on your side-spouted jug, we have found particulars of a solution recommended for similar cases in one of Plenderleith's books. We are now trying to obtain the necessary ingredients which are not to be found in Cyprus.

I await your further comments on the draft memorandum for dissolving the Joint-Expedition. I have made the following provisional amendments on my copy:

para. 3, line 2. delete "which it has so far uncovered" and substitute "where it has so far worked". This because a slight additional uncovering is proposed where the road crosses the line of the town wall.

para 4, line 4, after "Hmgomi" add "or other work arising from them". This at your suggestion.

para 7, line 4, date to read "1953".

When we have agreed on a final text I shall have fair copies made for signature.

I enclose a receipt for your deposit towards the cost of the further acquisitions on which we agreed. Negotiations have started. I also enclose a receipt for the items you had on loan and returned during your recent visit.

I was glad to hear that you had recovered from the indisposition that had been troubling you.

With kind regards to Mme Schaeffer.

Yours sincerely,

Handwritten: signature

Dr. C.F.A. Schaeffer, M.A., D.Litt., Ras Shamra, c/o Institut Français d'Archéologie, B.P. 14.2 4, Beyrouth.