Item #CL179-34 Letter From PM Robert Menzies To Dr Walter O. Paul [Donation To National Gallery Of Australia]
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Letter From PM Robert Menzies To Dr Walter O. Paul [Donation To National Gallery Of Australia]

1961. Typed letter on government stationery, 25.3 x 20.2cm. Old folds, some glue stains and old staple holes to upper left corner. Framed.

Letter addressed to “Dr Walter O. Paul, The Australian Club, Macquarie Street, Sydney” reads “Prime Minister, Canberra. 20 Sep 1961. Dear Dr Paul, my colleague, Sir Earle Page, has written to me about the offer you wish to make of your collection of very important paintings to the Commonwealth. I think you should know that the Commonwealth Art Advisory Board has shown great enthusiasm for your collection and has advised me unanimously that it should be accepted by the Commonwealth Government. I join with the Board in expressing my gratitude to you for this important gift which is made even more important by the fact it is the first occasion on which a major collection of this sort has been offered to the Government. You can rest assured that the gift itself will be a stimulus to the development of a National Gallery in Canberra. Sir Earle has mentioned to me that you would like conditions of bequest established to smooth the way for your gift. I have asked my Department to examine what is involved in this and the Chairman and the Secretary of the Art Advisory Board will be in touch with you on this question in the near future. At the first opportunity during one of my forthcoming visits to Sydney I would hope to be able to express my thanks to you personally. Yours sincerely, Robert Menzies, Prime Minister. ”

The National Gallery of Australia was established in 1967.

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Item #CL179-34

Price (AUD): $1,100.00  other currencies

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