ARTHUR JEFFRESS | Henry Hill & Henry Moore

1) HANDWRITTEN AND NOT DATED EXCEPT 8 AUGUST BUT CERTAINLY 1957
133 Hillhouse Road, Edinburgh, 4

Dear Mr Melville,

Thank you so much for your letter – how very kind of you to write while on your holiday – I didn’t realize that the Gallery closed. My wife and I saw Arthur in Venice, thus our finding he had some Henry Moore, but there was a turn in the conversation and the impact of Venice put us off and I forgot to get details. The “Warrior with Shield” sounds most interesting and we most certainly want to see it. Your re-opening date works out most beautifully as there is a lull in our dates at the Edinburgh festival and we plan to get to London, I hope, Wednesday August 28th until Sunday Sept. 1st. How very nice the 10% discount!!

Most sincerely, Henry Hill

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2) HANDWRITTEN AND NOT DATED EXCEPT 31 AUGUST BUT ATTACHED TO A REPLY OF 3 SEPTEMBER 1957 PICCADILLY HOTEL, LONDON

Dear Mr Melville,

The whole of Friday was at Perry Green – went to see Henry Moore about his doing a figure for our Longshoremen's Building in San Francisco which has just started construction – he may do it! As you know, my wife saw your "Fallen Warrior" and I saw it at his studio but we saw another magnificent piece which we simply had to get and unfortunately it had to be gotten from another Gallery*. Am also sorry not to have seen Arthur’s Gallery but will have to wait for the next trip.

Most sincerely, Henry Hill *and with NO discount!!

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3) To: 133 Hillhouse Road, Edinburgh, 4, 3rd September 1957

Dear Mr Hill,

Thank you very much for your letter of 31st August. I am sorry that you were unable to come to the Gallery, but very pleased to hear that you were able to obtain a Moore bronze which you both liked. I hope you have persuaded him to do a figure for the Longshoremen's Building. He has so often been inspired by stones worked upon by the tides that he might well hit on something splendid for a building which has associations with the sea. With all good wishes,

Yours sincerely, Secretary, ARTHUR JEFFRESS (PICTURES)

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4) June 20 1958

Dear Arthur,

This is in haste, as I am just off for the International Design Conference in Aspen, Colorado where I have got to sound off, and I thought it would be best to write to you quickly rather than to wait another two weeks ...

Several things in mind: Heather and I do so hope that you will send us snapshots, publication, verbal description or something or your new quarters. We are so sorry we didn't get to see the old ones. What a terrible thing. Also, we wanted to tell you - and again would you thank Mr. Melville for his courtesies - that we went to Southern England and met Henry Moore and saw there a maquette of a Unesco study in bronze which we got from him but had to get it through the Leicester Galleries.

This was three days before we sailed, so all was in a commotion and a hurry.

What a wonderful man. Which leads me to the next point: We have just had him here for three days - he stayed with us. We had inveigled him out here to consider doing a piece for the Longshoremen's Union building which is beginning to finish up. The Union officials finally granted permission to invite him, and we have been urging him since September, and he finally came.

Which now leads me to the final piece of "business", and that is, he said you had been down to see him three weeks ago and we have now gotten in a fee from our Union building; and we think it would be a wonderful thing if we could get another piece of Henry Moore's. And so would this be possible through you? First of all, for I don't know how long, Heather has wanted a small family group such as the wonderful ones he has there of his own, all around the 1940 period. As you know these aren't available, but he told us occasionally they pop up for resale. He said he would let us know if one should; but could we ask you to remember us if you should see or hear of one? That would be in the category of pending, I would assume. But for now, we really would like to get another piece. What have you got? If you haven't got photographs, could you send a rough sketch? Or is this something that is difficult and troublesome?

It has just suddenly occurred to me that some people are coming in about 15 minutes from now, and if they stay too long I am going to have to rush out and may not be able to sign this...so please do forgive.

We are all flourishing, Mother is fine. Aunt Fan has gone through some terrible things. The cancer reappeared three different times, and there have been three additional operations. For the last six months now she has had three nurses 24-hours a day; but seems to show recovery and is up and around the hospital; and then something terrible comes about. Her tenacity for living is something extraordinary. What a ghastly business it is. And on top of it all, it just seems so dreadful that she is in Louisville which she loathes and despises so...

We think of you so often, and all send love.

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5) June 25 1958

Dear Henry,

Thank you for your letter of June 25th. [20th] I am glad you wrote when you did as I am off to Venice the summer the day after tomorrow, and so would not been able to attend to your business queries myself had the letter come later.

It is always nice to hear from you, but better still when you want to buy sculpture. As regards the question of Henry Moore, the position is this; - we went down to see him about a month ago and spent a splendid afternoon looking at his work, old and new. Also, finally, we managed to buy a number of small and rather larger-than-small pieces from him. At the moment of writing, not one single one of these items is in my possession, the reason being that he himself was leaving for the USA on the following day and some of the things were still at the foundry. It was therefore agree that we would hold over all deliveries until his return. So, what I propose to do now is to ask Robert Melville to write to him (or his secretary if he is still away) and to request that they let us have photographs of as many of the pieces that we bought as are available. These photographs will then be sent on to you without delay together with measurements and prices. It will be so pleasant if you are able to choose one that you like ..... I shall be astonished if you dont as I was quite ravished by them all.

The "Family Groups", circa 1940, are rare as hens teeth as you probably know, but I will do my best to locate one of these also for you though I do not hold out hopes of any immediate results.

Just this time last year you were sending me confusing letters as to dates and times of arrival in Venice. I wish that you and Heather were coming again this slimmer; your visit was much too short.

You sent your letter to Pelham Crescent ... the old address ... make a note in your address book that it is now 98 Eaton Square, S.W.I. (tel: Sloane 1998). The new flat is really going to be lovely when it is finally finished, I hope, though whether you will think so is a moot point. Anything contemporary, such as radio and Television, is securely hidden behind a cunning facade of false books, and there is nothing remotely modern to be seen beyond some sculpture and paintings and even in the last-named, there is not a smell of an Abstract, not the merest act of an Action Painting, and not a trace of a tache of a Tachiste.

I am horrified to think of what poor Aunt Fan has to go through. Who would have imagined that she would cling so fiercely to life, and how can one forgive those who help her to linger on so dreadfully?

Please give my love to all of the family. I’m thinking of flying across the North Pole to Tokyo next December. I wonder if this involves a stop-off at San Francisco or if the S.A.S. plane from Copenhagen goes via Nova Zembla and Kamchatska instead.

Yours, Arthur

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6) September 8 1958

Dear Mr Hill,

I am sorry that it has taken as long to obtain the enclosed photographs of six bronzes by Henry Moore. Henry's difficulty I think is that he has not had casts available in his studio for photographing, and even now we are still awaiting a photograph of a "Helmet Head" and of a "Mother and Child Against Open Wall" which we have bought.

Details are given on the back of each of the enclosed photographs, and they are recorded below:

FAMILY (Corner Sculpture)
Bronze, 5*" high ........ ......... 160 gns
(Henry is not quite sure about the date of this one)

MOTHER AND CHILD (Maquette No.3)
Bronze, 1956 7½" high ... 200 gns

RECLINING FIGURE
Bronze, 1954 8½" long .......... 220 gns

FIGURE SEATED ON SQUARE STEPS
Bronze, 1957 9¼" long x 7¼" high 240 gns

GIRL SEATED AGAINST SQUARE WALL
Bronze, 1957 9½" high........325 gns

RECLINING WOMAN
Bronze, 1957 27½" long……..800 gns

Three of the bronzes listed above - "Figure Seated on Square Steps", "Mother & Child, Maquette No.3" and "Family (Corner Sculpture)" are now available, and the others will be ready shortly.

With regard to the photographs, they are the only prints we have at present, so if you could return them at your convenience we should be most grateful.

Arthur will be back in the Gallery on 22nd September. He has instructed me to tell you that if you choose one of these bronzes you are to have a discount of 10%. With very best wishes,

Yours sincerely, Secretary, ARTHUR JEFFRESS (PICTURES)

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7) September 15 1958

Dear Mr. Melville,

Thank you so very much for your letter of September 8, and above all, for the most exciting group of photographs. It is with great reluctance that we return them to you as they are so handsome. Also, thank you so much for your last paragraph that Arthur says to give us a 10% discount!

We would like to get the "Reclining Figure", 1954, 8½ ins. long, bronze. On the back of the photograph there is a further number noted - C3/2. So will you consider this a definite order for it? I read your letter that this will be available shortly.

Do let me know what arrangements need to be made, and I can send you a draft on the Wells Fargo Bank in pounds or guineas. But what about freight charges? Undoubtedly you know, but just to play safe; when we brought the "Sitting Figure Against Curved Wall" we had a letter stating that this was an original work of art and therefore it comes in duty-free.

Now, there is something that I wonder if we can be very frank about, taking every conceivable advantage of family relations or anything at all?? We would also love to get "Mother and Child, Maquette No. 3", 1956, 7½ ins bronze, (with the number on the back of photograph 2D98). There are several qualifications however. One is that before making a decision, we would like to see "Mother and Child against an Open Wall", which you haven't got a photograph of yet (would also like to see the photograph of "Helmet Head"). Also, quite frankly, right now we can't afford to get both all in one fell swoop. Since you have this already on hand, we are terrified that you will sell it - and this is where I will try to take every advantage I can - so could you possibly hold it for us - at least until the other photograph is available?

Most sincerely

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8) September 25 1958

Dear Mr Hill,

Thank you very much for your letter of 15th September. We are delighted that you have decided to buy the bronze 'Reclining Figure’ 1954. 8½ ins. long. I fear that it will be several weeks before we can despatch it because it is one of those pieces which are given a high polish after coming back from the casting shop and which Henry Moore doesn't release until he is completely satisfied with the patina. But he now knows that it is for you, and says that he will get it through as soon as ever possible.

We do not propose to send you a bill until it is ready for despatch. We will of course make the usual certification to ensure that no duty is payable.

Enclosed is the photograph of "Mother and Child against Open Wall" which you wished to see before coming to a decision about "Mother and Child, Maquette No.3". Its date is 1956/7, it is 6" ins high and the price to you is 320 gns less 10%. This is another piece that has not come from the casting shop yet. The "Mother and Child, Maquette No.3" is actually in the Gallery, and we have hidden it away until we hear your decision.

The "Helmet Head" which was earmarked for us has unfortunately been sold while on exhibition abroad. With very best wishes,

Yours sincerely, Secretary, ARTHUR JEFFRESS (PICTURES)

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9) October 3 1958

Dear Mr Hill,

We are very pleased to hear that you have decided to have three of the Henry Moore bronzes, and Mr Jeffress readily agrees to your proposal to settle the account for them in about ten months from now. To keep the records straight, I am enclosing an invoice for your kind attention at a later date.

There is just one question on which we like your decision. Do you wish the bronzes to be sent to you as they come in (one of them, as you know, is ready for despatch),or would it be better if we wait until all three could be despatched in one consignment. The latter course would undoubtedly reduce the packing and transportation charges.

With very best wishes, and many thanks,

Yours sincerely, Secretary, ARTHUR JEFFRESS (PICTURES)

P.S. Please excuse my not signing this – today is Stanford, wanted to get this off to you, but have to leave before it is finished.

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10) October 22 1958

Dear Arthur and Robert Melville:

Thank you so much for your letters - but most of all, thank you for your most generous and kind offer to give us a delay in payment.

Please don't think that I have just not been writing - we have been in quite a predicament over the "Mother and Child against Open Wall". We have finally come to the decision that we will not get this one. This has been hard to come by, but it has very much the feeling and quality of the one we have, the "Seated Figure against Curved Wall"; and strangely enough to us, it has something of the "Mother and Child" which we had decided on already, and felt that it would be wrong to have this one with the other two ... as being possibly between them ....

So this will confirm that we are putting in a definite order for the "Mother and Child" - that is, the one with the "skirt" (I haven't got the number at hand); and for the "Reclining Figure".

With your generous delay, however, there immediately comes the question that maybe something new would have been added to your collection - so do let us know!

For heaven's sake, do not wait to send the two together. We would much rather have one, and pay more on shipping, rather than wait longer in greater suspense. Enclosed is a tear sheet of a chapel which is being given to the Moline Public Hospital. Our client called that it will undoubtedly go ahead. However, this has been going months now that we haven't gotten our working drawing fee. As soon as that is in (which should be any time now) I will be able to send you a hunk of it as part payment.

Arthur, it seems such a shame that you could be coming our way and that you don't! Wouldn't you take a couple of days extra and come via San Francisco?? I just saw that T.W.A. has a non-stop jet flight from Europe to San Francisco; and then another non-stop on to Tokyo. All we can assure you is that if you would come we will certainly make much of you while you are here.

Again - thank you so very much. As ever, Henry

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11) HANDWRITTEN & UNDATED BUT A NOTE READS £100 received 27/11/58

Dear Robert Melville,

The enclosed on account – because we owe you so much! In the S.F. Chronicle we read a review of a new art book with various introductory remarks including Robert Melville – is this you? Why don’t you come along with Arthur??

Sincerely, Henry Hill

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12) November 27 1958

Thank you very much for your letter enclosing a cheque of £100 on account. The "Mother & Child" bronze was handed to our shippers for packing early this month, and it should soon in your hands. Mr Moore’s secretary has not been able to give us definite news about "Reclinlng Figure" but hopes to do so during the next few days.

I would love to visit San Francisco which I always think of as being the most desirable city in America. Yes, I am the Robert Melville who writes about modern painting and sculpture. I write a regular article for The Architectural Review and have just agreed to write a London Letter for the New York periodical called Arts.

With best wishes, and hoping that "Mother & Child" will be settled in your house before Arthur arrives.

Yours sincerely, Secretary, ARTHUR JEFFRESS (PICTURES)

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13) December 29, 1958

Dear Robert Melville,

Please forgive my not writing sooner to let you know that the "Mother and Child" arrived safe and sound ... and in complete confusion, as the day they arrived, T.W.A. went out on strike. That and other completely unfamiliar and unknown factors meant we had some 10 days to two weeks getting it out of customs.

It is an incredibly beautiful piece. We do so hope that Henry Moore is putting the final incredible touches on the "Reclining Figure", and that it will soon be on its way. I hope that after the New Year I will be able to send you another check on account. Any other things that you may have or be getting of his, do please send us photographs - we have gone quite off the deep end about his work!

As you have undoubtedly heard from Arthur, you know that he arrived safe and sound, and much to my amazement, very chipper and in good form after such a grueling trip I But a wonderful, though too short, visit.

Sincerely yours, Henry Hill

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14) May 11 1959

Dear Robert Melville:

Surely Henry Moore couldn't be taking this long to burnish (or whatever he does) our reclining figure? Can you needle him for us?? Kindly?? Hello to Arthur.

Sincerely yours, Henry Hill

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15) May 25 1959

Dear Mr. Hill,

I think that your personal plea to Henry Moore must have tipped the scales in our favour, for I have this morning received the very good news from his secretary that the "Reclining Figure" will be delivered to us this week. I will write to you again immediately it arrives at the Gallery, and will of course rush it round to our Shipping agent for packing and despatch. With very best wishes.

Yours sincerely, Secretary, ARTHUR JEFFRESS (PICTURES)

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16) May 29 1959

Dear Mr. Hill,

This is just a note to tell you that the bronze "Reclining Figure* was delivered to us today and is being collected by our shipping agents for packing and despatch, and to enclose a statement showing the present situation of the account. With very best wishes,

Yours sincerely, Secretary, ARTHUR JEFFRESS (PICTURES)

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17) (HANDWRITTEN & UNDATED BUT PINNED TO REPLY OF 20 JULY 1959)

Dear Arthur:

All is confusion – office remodelling and what a mess!

This is on account – and we do thank you for waiting. The "Reclining Figure" is wonderful and on the projecting stone in the Living Room. Somehow we MUST have a two or three foot figure on the deck – how much would THAT be?? Even if it is possible?

All love, Henry

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18) July 20 1959

Dear Mr. Hill,

Thank you very much for your letter and for your cheque for £.100 on account.

Arthur is now in Venice and will he going to Greece for a while in August. We expect him back about the middle of September.

Henry Moore must now be the most sought after sculptor in the world, and at present it is impossible to get anything out of him. All the same, we will do our very best to obtain a medium-size figure whenever one becomes available. The prices of what few things of his come into the market have gone up by leaps and bounds so I cannot give you an idea of what Henry himself would now charge us for a figure 2-3 feet long, but if anything comes of our attempt to obtain one from him we will of course be delighted to send you all details. With very best wishes,

Yours sincerely, Secretary ARTHUR JEFFRESS (PICTURES)

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19) HANDWRITTEN September 18 1959

Dear Robert Melville:

And here is another £100 – where do I stand now? We have just completed remodelling the office and are so damned efficient I don’t know where anything is!

Having our 3 pieces of Henry Moore has not satisfied us, we can never take out eyes off – and only want more – Have you something?

Sincerely, Henry Hill

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20) September 1 1959

Dear Henry,

Thank you very much for your letter and also for sending the cheque in part payment of the Henry Moore. Robert Melville will be sending a proper receipt. I am so pleased that you are happy with them.

Your summer sounded very hectic in a family way but I hope you got some pleasure out of it. Incidentally, I finally received a cheque from Aunt Fan’s executors, you will be interested to know.

This is my first day back in the Gallery and there seems to be a terrible lot to do so I do hope you will excuse this very short and inadequate letter which brings you and all the family my fondest love.

Yours, Arthur

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21) (HANDWRITTEN & UNDATED BUT PINNED TO REPLY OF 21 SEPTEMBER 1959)

Dear Arthur:

A note to say hello if you are home from Venice.

Did you see “All About Eve” – when she comes down to dinner and simply says – "fasten your safety belts; its going to be a rough evening!" [actual line is “a bumpy ride] that’s our summer. Heather’s mother and sister were with us, great fun and pleasure, but tiring. Bill & Ellen came. Janie, Billie and the children! Family riot, one after the other – wow! We are exhausted, all are gone and now wallowing in the Opera which started last week!

We have thought of you so much and how we could have roared with laughter – I found I managed to stay aloof from it all which simply infuriated the others.

All our love, Henry

And Arthur, again thank you for your patience and MOST helpful discount to make the Henry Moores possible – I feel greedy in wanting another, but we must.

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22) September 21 1959

Dear Mr Hill,

Thank you very much for the cheque for £100.0.0 on account, received this morning. The balance now outstanding is £96.10.Od.

Unfortunately we have nothing else by Henry Moore at present but will be only too pleased to let you know if anything comes in.

Arthur returns from Venice today. With very best wishes,

Yours sincerely, Secretary, THE ARTHUR JEFFRESS GALLERY

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23) October 30 1959

Dear Arthur:

The A.I.A. is this coming spring having their national convention in San Francisco, and we had wanted to have Henry Moore for the key note speaker. However, as hard as we have tried, he won't come as he will not speak publicly - all of which is a great disappointment.

But one of the nicest things about it all was that the committee asked me to phone him to invite him to come, and how wonderful it was to talk to him, and how close it made it all seem. This was on Wednesday, and he said that the day before he had been talking to you --- and being the rank opportunist I am, I immediately asked him if this meant that you were going to get some of his work, so that we in turn could get a piece; and he said that he would see what he could do about it! ! ! So please, please do keep us in mind when you get something, and let me appeal to you on a family basis, on a friendship basis, or any basis possible to do let us know of anything before it disappears! !

as ever, Henry

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24) October 30 1959

Dear Robert Melville:

You will see my letter to Arthur; and so let me reemphasize to you how very much we want a new piece of Henry Moore's.

I think the enclosed £96/18 gets us up to date now. And thank you so much and Arthur, for letting us be so long - as it is what has made it possible for us to have these.

Most sincerely, Henry Hill

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25) November 5 1959

Dear Henry,

Thank you so much for your letter of 30th October and thank you also for your cheque in settlement of all sculpture delivered to you so far. Please will you accept this as formal receipt.

About further piece of sculpture from Henry Moore, I do hope that you realize that we do continually make every endeavour to obtain some pieces from him, but it is a very very uphill struggle and I fear one that is likely to become steeper and steeper to the point of complete extinction. Whenever we ask him about it he is always very agreeable — as is his wont — but turns us off with instructions to get in touch with his secretary, Miss Tinsley, who has it seems charge of such matters and she, while promising to do everything possible for us, never holds out any immediate prospect of completion. A further snag is that Henry has now partially affiliated himself to a large Gallery in London (The Marlborough) so that it looks as though smaller “outside” Galleries like myself will in future encounter more and more difficulty in obtaining any of his work. Goodness knows, it has never been exactly easy! To add to all of the difficulties, his prices on the open market have suddenly gone up in an amazing manner and yesterday at Sotheby’s a small early stone figure by him, 18" high only, sold for the astonishing sum of £2,800.

I do not despair of obtaining another small piece for you, in fact I think that we will get one, but it does require enormous patience on both our parts and also I have a sinking feeling it may be the last we shall get from him.

With much love to you all, Arthur

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26) May 18 1960

Dear Arthur,

Have been up at the University of Oregon in Eugene for two weeks. What a fabulous state it is, completely unspoiled. Have never seen anything like the color and grandeur! You would HATE it!

It was rather interesting the way there can be such overlaps. In this tiny little town, miles away from nowhere, I was driving around, and was thinking of Henry Moore so one morning sent him a postcard of the area. When I got back for classes that afternoon, the Dean called me that I must go to a talk that evening by a Read. I immediately thought it would be Carol Reed - but it wasn't .... it was John Read, son of the critic who does the BBC Art Films. I wasn't all that impressed by him; but he did show his second film on Henry Moore. Later on in the evening I met a Sculptor, Zach, who in turn had just arranged with Henry Moore for a Revolving World Fellowship in Sculpture 1 All in the same day! ! !

As you know, Heather and I are determined to wrangle, steal, beg or whatever, another piece - preferably around 24 inches or so ... God knows how much this would be ... that we can have outdoors. I don't know if this can be worked out at all.

Thus my reason for writing, as you will be away this summer. If we can work this out, can it all be handled through your Gallery - if Henry would prefer it this way, and I naturally assume he would? You will recall the one we got when we were there two years ago was done through the Leicester Gallery, and I would hate like fury to do anything like this when you could get the benefit - especially when you have been already so extraordinarily kind.

We got the 1959 issue of Graphis with Robert Melville's article on Moore. However, isn't he wrong? A great deal of those illustrations are in "Hands, Heads, and Ideas" and he says there is only one. But I have only glanced through it last night, and will certainly apologize if I am wrong. And do so hope to meet him when we go through London on the way to Southern England ...

All love, Henry

Please do excuse my not signing - have to go down to Stanford ...

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27) May 30 1960

Dear Henry,

Thank you very much for your letter of 18th May. I would have answered it before but we have been snowed under with work for the exhibition of paintings of Venice by John Piper which opens tomorrow. Thank heavens that is now all under control and in fact they are already selling in the most gratifying manner although how to explain the red spots to would-be buyers who come on the opening day I don’t really know. The best thing to do is to go to the country for the day, I think!

About your Henry Moore: I am doing everything I possibly can to find what you want and hope that this week may produce a result. You see, as I think I told you in a previous letter, his work is all now heavily contracted for. In the past I was able to get an occasional piece from him but that has now come to a full stop. So I have to search the highways and byways to see if I can find anything. A dealer offered me two last week and promised to bring them to show me this week. Perhaps this will prove of some use to us. You say in your letter that you want something "preferably around 24" or so and that it is to go outdoors. I am a little puzzled as to whether you mean 24" high or 24" long. Perhaps you would let us know this?

I am going to Italy on 15th June and will be abroad until the end of September. How I wish that we were going to meet up somewhere during your Summer trip. Robert Melville looks forward to seeing you on your way through.

Much love to you and to Heather and to les jeunes filles. You will hear from me the instant I have some Henry Moore news.

Arthur

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28) June 8 1960

Dear Arthur:

Thank you so much for your letter. How wonderful that you misunderstood me!! If you can get us one, it would be simply wonderful I We had in mind 24" high, but aren't at all choosy. So we will be in touch with Robert Melville if you have any luck.

What I really had in mind was that when we see Henry Moore, and if there were something available, that he would let us have, then would we be able to get it through your gallery. As I recall, it is quite a business ... that he does not have anything sold directly (which is certainly fair enough).

Do hope this reaches you in time to wish you a marvelous trip! It all sounds so fabulous.

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29) HANDWRITTEN NOTE ON ARTHUR JEFFRESS GALLERY MEMO PAD

Henry Hill would like Henry Moore Sculpture. Could we deliver this pm to Bailey's Hotel, 140, Gloucester Rd, FRE8131, together with an invoice? He will ask his office to pay us then, direct by sterling draft.

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30) HANDWRITTEN AND UNDATED EXCEPT FOR 28 JULY BUT CERTAINLY 1960

c/o Buchanan, 20, Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh.

Dear Mr Melville,

How very nice to have met with you – this is most sincerely meant as we find it most difficult writing about something which means so much to us – to someone we have never even seen!

Thank you for sending the beautiful piece to the Hotel, we have it safely. I have written to my office in San Francisco, air mail, to send a draft in £s directly to you, it should be there in 10 days to two weeks – the fees did come in!! and so this piece will be something special and not change our plans for the other or the drawings.

Will write further in a day or two, but did want to thank you,

Sincerely, Henry Hill

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31) July 31 1960. HANDWRITTEN, NO ADDRESS BUT ALMOST CERTAINLY EDINBURGH

31 July 1960Dear Mr Melville,

Just to review - and to ask a question. I have written Mrs Tinsel [Tinsley] (spelling? - HM secretary) to see if she has found the photography of the ‘available’ pieces, and will of course let you know if we can get [sic]. Then, Heather wants to get a drawing – if you would be kind to try for us, and he is writing to Mrs Moore about the possibility of a page of a sketch book. In reference to the piece for the Longshoremen’s Building I am writing Henry Moore on this, and I will take it up with the Longshoremen’s Committee immediately upon return to San Francisco – middle of Sept. (We leave here Sept 6th) as that is something I do not want to do by mail with them. Also do let us know of any pieces you might get or come upon!!

The question – on the train after I left you I recalled your mentioning the John Piper show of Venetian drawings - is something like this possible? Are his stage set drawings or sketches available? I have no idea of anything like this – i.e. if available £1 or £100? And nothing ventured nothing gained - ?

Most sincerely, Henry Hill

We do hope you are having a wonderful holiday – we are!

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32) August 2, 1960

Dear Sirs:

Enclosed is Draft in the amount of £400 for purchase of a work of Henry Moore by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hill. Mr. Hill has asked that we forward this payment direct to you.

JOHN W KRUSE cc: Mr. and Mrs. Hill Edinburgh

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33) HANDWRITTEN AND UNDATED BUT REPLIED TO ON 25 AUGUST 1960

Dear Robert Melville,

Know [sic] that Henry has already written to you: but I would just like to tell you personally how very much I enjoyed seeing you & talking with you. We have looked forward to meeting you for several years now: & it was just the pleasure we had anticipated – How fortunate too that you were there during how far too brief time in London! Of course afterwards I was horrified to realise that I was so delighted to talk to you & so intrigued by the little Henry Moore, that I walked out the of the gallery without having looked at anything else!!

We are thrilled with our ‘Love ‘ [?] – bought for love & no re-sale! – what a marvellous scale and what a relief that no one snatched her while we were trying to be strong minded!

Thank you most warmly for all you may be able to do in getting us a drawing – How marvellous if you could find a chalk?? Something with colour?? And of course if you find something irresistible but much more expensive you will not let it slip from your fingers will you!! I am sure our sight could be raised in the face of temptation! We shall be anxious to hear from you.

Most sincerely, Heather Hill

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34) August 25 1960, Mrs. Henry Hill, c/o Buchanan, 20, Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh

Dear Mrs. Hill,

It was so nice to find your charming letter when we reopened the Gallery. I had a telephone call from Henry Moore just before he went off to the seaside for his annual holiday with Irena and Mary, He said that he was in hopes of being able to send to the Gallery a small bronze or a drawing, or both, before you return to America and that if he cannot manage this, he will let us have something as soon as ever possible. I feel sure that he is trying very hard to do something about it whilst you are still in Scotland, and if he is able to bring anything in to us I will telegraph you straight away. With all good wishes to you both and hoping you are having a lovely time.

Yours sincerely, Robert Melville

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35) September 13, 1960

Dear Robert Melville:

The last few days were all very hectic before we left. I had wanted to phone to see if Henry Moore had been able to find a piece for us, to say nothing of a drawing! Mrs. Tinsley had not sent photographs, but to have written to them again I felt would have been pushing, and so I simply could not do this. In the same way, I did not phone you as it would have seemed like heckling…

We do so hope that this can come about, and should the opportunity arise, you know how much we would appreciate anything that might come about. I have just written to Henry Moore all of our impressions and how his work so dominated our trip, and again told him that we did so hope for a piece and a drawing.

I never thanked you for sending the illustrations of Piper's work and also the information on his theater drawings (which we can't afford if we are possibly going to get more Henry Moore). I can well understand why the paintings were all sold prior to the preview (what an indignant group you must have had at the preview!). I had no idea he had an architectural background ... maybe that is why there is such an inherent appeal in his work for me ...

Most sincerely

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36) September 13 1960

Dear Arthur:

Just a brief note to say that we are back, and we did not in the least feel sorry for you with your rain in Venice. We were gone for two months, and one full day in Saltzburg and the day we left Edinburgh it didn't rain; otherwise, rain every single day!

It will be a long long time, at least we feel now, before anything pries us away from home, Berkeley, and San Francisco. You indicated the same when we last saw you; but nevertheless, I will only say it is your turn now, and you know that you are always welcome. It was really a bitter disappointment not to have seen you. There is so much that Heather and I would have liked to have talked with you about, and only to you as we so do enjoy what you have to say and to write ... Sometime if and when the mood hits you, do sit down and write us one of your good long letters.

I saw Henry Moore's work in Edinburgh; couldn't find it in Munich; at the Battersea Park; and a wonderful day at Glenkirk; the Marlboro Gallery (what an awful atmosphere it is in that place ... and what a wonderful one in yours); and as you know, we have the exquisite little piece from your gallery. We saw the Unesco piece. Heather had a wonderful day with him as I had gotten a harpsichord in London so it was my day with the children who weren't feeling well. We still have hopes of getting a piece and a drawing, and I have written to Robert Melville about this.

We have been home for three days, but still feel in a sort of suspension, so will not go on with this, except to send you all our love.

As ever.

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37) September 13 1960

William Chester, Regional Director International Longshoremen's & Warehousemen's Assn.
150 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco 2, California

38. September 20 1960

Dear Mr. Chester:

Again, I thank you for your personal messages as well as your message to Henry Moore the day we left for Europe this summer. Your greetings were given to him - and needless to say, I certainly emphasized the fact to him that if he remembered you and were willing, that you wanted him to do a piece for the San Francisco Longshoremen's Building at Fishermen's Wharf.

The following is my personal opinion. Mr. Moore is extremely busy, and you will recall that in his conversations with us here, he was unwilling to take on a private commission being more interested in doing his own work.

But I believe he is most desirous of having the Union have a piece of his work, and so I have made to him the following suggestion: He is at present doing several large pieces, some of which have been completed and are now being cast; and that in place of commissioning him that the Union buy one of these pieces which would be suitable for the building and the location. Should you be able to go ahead, naturally I would be most pleased and happy to handle it for you. The actual "arrangements" would be able to be handled through the Arthur Jeffress Gallery in London.

I would greatly appreciate it if you would give this serious consideration and notify me so that I could contact the Gallery and Mr. Moore to obtain photographs and prices to submit you.

Sincerely, Henry Hill
cc: Louis Goldblatt cc: George Walsh cc: Henry Moore cc: Arthur Jeffress Gallery

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39) September 27 1960

Dear Henry,

Thank you so much for your letter of 13th September and also for the copy of your letter to Mr. William Chester of the International Longshoremen’s & Warehousemen's Association dated 20th September. With regard to the latter, I do think it is an extremely good idea to try to buy one of the large pieces that Henry Moore is now engaged upon and hope that you will be able to get the Association's agreement to this. In any case, I don't need to tell you grateful I am to you that you should wish to put this through my Gallery. All of these things are the greatest possible help, as well as bolstering up one's morale.

I, too, was very sorry not to see you during this year's trip to Europe. How ghastly it must have been for you having nothing but rain every single day with one exception while you were in Salzburg and Edinburgh. I left Venice myself at the beginning of September and went for twelve days to Corfu where the sun shone beautifully nearly all the time and which I think is almost the most lovely island I have ever seen. I should like to go back every year, at least until it gets completely spoilt and Capri-ized which will soon happen, alas.

I have no plans for going away now, but will be in London all Winter long as far as I know. Rather a gloomy prospect, but I have spent so much lately on my travels that I must call a halt.

Let u know in due course about the Henry Moore, or anything else that we can do for you. With very fond love to Heather and the children and yourself.

Yours, Arthur

P.S. We have just been speaking to Henry Moore's Secretary again, and she says that she hopes to send us a photograph of a small piece of sculpture very soon. We have also heard from another source that the small maquette for the Dartington Memorial Hall "Reclining Figure" which we think is about six inches long, may be available for $1800.00. Are you interested?

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40) September 30 1960

Miss Betty Tinsley Secretary to Henry Moore Hoglands, Much Hadham, Herts, England

Dear Miss Tinsley:

From Heather's description, I feel that there is a most strong possibility - should such a thing be possible - that Mr. Moore's new "two piece" would be a wonderful thing at the San Francisco Longshoremen’s union building.

As you know, I will leave no stone unturned to get something there! and I would so like to submit to their Board of Directors photographs of this work. Are there any available? If so, would so appreciate it if you could send me prints.

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41) September 30 1960

Dear Robert Melville:

William Chester to whom I have written is Regional Director for the International Longshoremen's & Warehousemen's Union. The Union building we did in San Francisco was for their Local 10, Longshoremen. As I understand it, Headquarters would give the Henry Moore sculpture to the local as a gift.

Yesterday we had a nice letter from Henry Moore (and incidentally, he said he would be phoning you - I do so hope so - about a piece of sculpture for us and he would also look for a drawing which he thought we would like, and if not that he would do one the next time he draws again..!)

But at any rate, I believe Heather talked with you about the "two piece* and I wonder if you could at this time give me any idea of approximately how much this would cost? In Mr. Moore's letter, he had written a post script that he just received the copy of my letter to Mr. Chester .... I have forgotten his wording ... that there was certainly every reason to believe that all of this could go through, and he would go through Arthur's gallery!

And now if I can only pin someone down here for a decision!

All love to Arthur when you write – and best to you. [HANDWRITTEN NOTE: his letter in this morning’s mail]

Most sincerely

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42) January 18 1961

Dear Mr. Hill,

Thank you very much for your letter and cheque. We have posted the Henry Moore catalogue to you today, under separate cover.

I spoke to Henry a few days ago, and he told me that Miss Tinsley has a large notice over her desk marked: “Remember small bronze for Henry Hill" and that he expects to be able to send us one as soon as the casters deliver some small things to him.

With warmest regards to you both,

Yours sincerely, Robert Melville

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43) January 24 1961

Dear Robert Melville:

How very nice to have received your letter yesterday morning, and to hear that Mrs. Tinsley has memos for Henry! Your statement is most encouraging that he is waiting for some pieces to come back to make a selection for us.

Last night when I got home there was a postcard from Rome saying that he had not forgotten, but that when he got back he would see if he could find one. I would love to take a jet over and help him look!!

But suddenly now all our hopes are running sky high ... so I will scurry around to get fees in and be prepared!

Love to Arthur. We have just gotten some beautiful photographs of our chapel in Moline, Illinois, and will send to him when we get prints.

Sincerely,

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HENRY MOORE WORKS OWNED BY HILLS:

Bronze maquettes:
1. Sitting Figure Against Curved Wall
2. Maquette for UNESCO Reclining Figure bt Leicester Galleries
3. Reclining Figure bt AJG
4. Mother & Child Maquette No. 3 bt AJG
5. “Love”? Female Figure