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The National Fine Arts Company. [/preprinted]

[notation] Ansd Sept 9/98 [/notation]

White Plains, N. Y., August 16, 1898.

Mrs. Leland Stanford

Madame

Knowing how interested you are in all matters pertaining to Art, I take this opportunity of addressing you in regard to a work of Art which is for sale in England, and which being the work of an American Artist, Benj. West (the only American who has been a President of The Royal Academy, London) should have a peculiar value in this country.

The work in question is a picture occupying a position immediately over the High Altar of the Cathedral of Winchester, England. It was painted about 1781. The Subject: "Raising of Lazarus." It is eleven feet one half inch wide by eight feet eight inches high, and is in the highest state of preservation and coloring. The painting contains seven entire life size, and fourteen accessory figures, and the coloring is far superior to any examples of Benj. West's work to be seen in this country.

The reason for removal and desire to sell the picture is that the screen at rear of altar is being restored, and the painting occupies the position originally occupied by statues of the twelve Apostles.

As to the value; expert members of The Royal Academy place it at £ 2,000 to £2,500, (ten to twelve thousand dollars). The expenses of transportation, etc., would be slight, as there would be no duty to pay, being the work of an American Artist.

The painting, would, I believe be a most valuable addition to the Art Galleries, and is far and away above any existing examples of the