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5 avril 1952.
Dear Professor Ashmole,
1.Exhibition of the Enkomi bowl.- The printing of the volume Enkomi-Alasia I is now under way. But owing to its size, the book will not be ready for distribution before June. On the other hand, the silver bowl should be returned to the Island before September at latest, when I resume my excavations and my draughtsmen should make a drawing of the bowl details. I think it is therefore advisable to start the exhibition soon. The B.M. has agreed to insert in the articles references to the book publication in order to avoid reproductions without proper references by colleagues, specially over the Finns who are always quick to seize the news.
If on your side you would agree that on the explanatory label, a similar reference could be inserted, I see no reason to delay any longer the opening of the exhibition.
I suggest as main texte for the label: Silver Bowl inlaid with gold and niello found by Dr.C.F.A.Schaeffer in a intact tomb of the XIV c.B.C. at Enkomi-Alasia (Cyprus). See Schaeffer, Enkomi-Alasia, vol.I, p.LXVI. - French Archaeological Mission and Cyprus Government joined expedition to Enkomi, 1950. - Restauration by M.J.Plenderleith, Research laboratory, British Museum. - Temporary loan by the Antiquities Department Cyprus. Of course this would have to be translated into English.
In case you wish to give some more information about the find in connection with the opening of the exhibition, I enclose proofs of my chapters to be published on the find in Enkomi-Alasia I, which I would be grateful to you to have returned afterwards to M.Bernath.
2.Galvanoplastic replicas of the Enkomi-bowl. The division of the [illegible] will deprive either the Louvre or the Nicosia Museum of the bowl. I would therefore be glad to offer the one a replica. Could the B.M. Laboratory undertake to make one, or if your museum is interested two? What would be the approximate cost to me or any share in the cost. Reproduction of the Dept of Ant. in Cyprus would be needed of course, but I think it would not be refused. I am writing to M.Megaw about it.
3.Please give the operator of the Ill.L.N. permission to colour photograph the bowl.
Excuse this hurried letter and believe me, dear Prof. Ashmole,
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65 figures hard to readstruck struck outadded written in above” jug ditto, and what it repeatsword reading not certain