| Collection | Victorian Additional Papers |
| Description | In response to Becker's letter (see VIC/ADDA10/85/210), Waagen informs him that the day before it arrived he received news from Caen that M. Lavieille, the painter of the Perugino copy, had died and that under French law the picture would have to be auctioned with all the rest of the painter's possessions, because his son is a minor. Waagen has therefore asked the curator of the Caen Museum, Guillard, whom he knows, to bid for the painting on the Prince's behalf, to a level that would ensure that the price, including packing, stays within 1,000 francs. The painting should then be very carefully packed and sent by a reliable steamer to London, and Dr. Becker informed of its dispatch and told how to make payment. Waagen has also informed the guardian of Lavieilles's son, who wrote to him about the painter's death, of these arrangements.
Waagen hopes the Prince will approve of what he has done. He adds a note saying that the painting can be sent without its rather attractive gold frame if the Prince does not wish to pay the high customs duty on it, although it is included in the 1,000 francs and Waagen thinks a new frame would cost more than the duty. |