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 settled and in operation. - My departure has again been delayed because of the strikes and is now fixed for 22 cr. 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 in the second half of October.

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

I regret that Dikaios could not lend you more than 10 shovels and picks; this surprises me. It is unfortunate to make expenses for equipment. But you did well to complete it 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 peacefully. Reserve 1 tent for us (without fleas!); Agreed with the arrangements made by you. But be very strict about the vouchers. With a 44-hour week the wage demanded is very high.

I have just asked my bank to place an extra L 200/0/0 at Pironin's disposal, end of October. If, moreover, my arrival should be delayed beyond measure, I have asked Dikaios to hand you the remainder of my deposit, i.e. L 200/0/0, in case of need. If I have not been able to arrive at Famagusta a week before the equipping of the funds, 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 life-size, objects life-size, simple lines for line blocks which reduce the drawings by 1/3 to 1/2 c. It must also be considered to make 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 reserved two good rooms (sea side): for Madame Schaeffer and me, 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! Best regards to Forrer.

Believe me, dear Sir, to all my best sentiments.