Letter from Schaeffer to Coche de la Ferté on the organisation of the excavation siteClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer

Le Castel Blanc, 14 Rue Turgot, St.Germain-en-Laye, Seine et Oise.

21 October 1947

Mr E. Coche de la Ferté, King George Hotel, Famagusta, (Cyprus).

Dear Sir,

I thank you for your letters from Beirut and from Famagusta; I am glad to know you are installed and in operation. My departure has been delayed again because of the strikes and is now fixed for the 22nd, from Marseille on the Providence. There is no transport at all in Paris, and everything is therefore very complicated. The fine weather and the dryness persist. Despite the already cold nights, one would not think it was the second half of October.

I will telephone your mother shortly to tell her that you are well; tell Pironin that I will likewise inform his sister.

I regret that Dikaios could lend you no more than 10 shovels and picks; that surprises me. It is unfortunate to incur expenses for equipment. But you did well to complete the set to 30. I hope you have obtained tents to shelter the workmen in case of a shower, for without this precaution they do not work calmly. Reserve 1 tent for us (without fleas!); Agreed with the arrangements made by you. But be very strict about the bonuses. With a 44-hour week the wage demanded is very high.

I have just asked my bank to place an additional L 200/0/0 at Pironin's disposal, end of October. If, moreover, my arrival were to be delayed beyond measure, I have asked Dikaios to hand you the rest of my deposit, i.e. L 200/0/0, in case of need. If I have not been able to arrive at Famagusta one week before the funds run out, reduce the number of workmen by half. If Forrer has not enough to do, send him to Nicosia so that he draws at the Museum the vases and fragments and small objects of last year. Pironin must show him how to go about it: vases half full size, objects full size, simple outlines for line blocks which reduce the drawings by 1/3 to 1/2 c. It is also necessary to think of making the descriptive inventory of all the objects of last year. Our register is not complete.

I will give you my addresses if necessary, by telegram. Be very careful with expenses, but do not fear that I will leave you stranded.

When I announce our arrival, please have two good rooms reserved (sea side): for Mrs Schaeffer and me, and another for Miss Schaeffer.

I await your next report to the Institute in Beirut. For the treasure or the inscription on the door, wait for my arrival! Kind regards to Forrer. Believe me, dear Sir, to be with all my best sentiments.