Letter from Schaeffer to Schaff on the excavationsClaude Frédéric-Armand Schaeffer

29 September 1969

Dr. U. SCHAAFF Römisch-Germanisches Zentralmuseum Ernst-Ludwig-Platz 2 MAINZ Germany

Dear Dr. Schaaff!

My reply to your kind letter of the 19th has been delayed by my absence on the Greek islands, from which I only returned yesterday. I have received word here from Mr. Joffroy that he will not return from his excavations to Saint-Germain until after 6 October. Your and Professor Hundt's discussion with him regarding the casting of Vix should therefore be planned for after 6 October.

I had a conversation with Joffroy about the problem and had succeeded in getting him now more favourably disposed towards the question. However, he is not alone in making the decision; but he would first have to say "yes", and then his Minister and the commune of Chatillon-sur-Seine could not readily say "no". My intervention with Joffroy is thus concluded for the moment. I will return to the negotiation should difficulties arise.

I would advise you first to undertake your study of the full-hilted daggers, and on that occasion to mention to Joffroy also the problem of the Vix casting and ask his opinion. However, do not demand an immediate decision, as Joffroy is not a man of authority and will approach the matter cautiously, almost anxiously. Simply say that from the scientific and research standpoint an exhibition of the Vix finds in Saint-Germain itself and in Mainz would be very valuable, and that the extraordinary find would become much better known. Copies in Saint-Germain and Mainz would be the best propaganda for the originals and would attract still more visitors there. The thousands of widely distributed copies of all known and most important museum pieces in all large museums show, by experience, that this is the case, and that they have never harmed the originals or their attraction. - I have given Mr. Joffroy a further personal argument, which I can however mention only orally and later.

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