[Sir Robert Witt, art historian and co-founder of the Courtauld Institute.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Robert C. Witt') regarding the approach to be taken 'for the purchase of the Velasquez', i.e. the Rokeby Venus, now in the National Gallery.

For information on the campaign to save the Rokeby Venus for the nation, see Charles Saumarez Smith, 'The Battle for Venus', Spectator, 10 November 2003. 4pp, 16mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged. With one fold. The recipient is not named, and the letter begins: 'My dear Sir, | Allow me to send you a private line to thank you for your long & interesting letter which I shall take the earliest possible opportunity of reading in Extenso to my Committee.' For the recipient's 'private information', he writes: 'we are approaching various authorities on the subject of cooperating with us for the purchase of the Velasquez as also a few rich individuals, before we decide whether an appeal would have a fair chance of success.' If they do decide on an appeal, they will make use of his assistance, but in any case he thanks him 'for the excellent way' in which he has put forward his views, which will have 'considerable effect when read'.