4/5/81.
This afternoon, dear Mr. Bright, I happened to meet the Chief Secretary in the Exhibition and took the hon. Gentleman to the Statues in the Italian Court, pointing out that Italy alone had an extensive display of Marble statues and that this was a rare opportunity of acquiring some for the national Gallery. Mr. Berry requested me to procure a list of prices (to which I shall be able through the Consulate to add photograms) to be submitted to him.1 Under these circumstances it might perhaps be advisable, not to follow up the matter on your & your colleagues part, just this moment.2
Regardfully your
Ferd. von Mueller
The price list was published in 'Italian works of Art', Age (Melbourne), 11 May 1881, p. 3. The article concluded: 'Mr. Berry has resolved to provide a sum of £2000 to purchase such works from the above collection as may be deemed best'.
See M's earlier letter to Bright on this subject (M to C. Bright, 2 May 1881 (in this edition as 81-05-02a)).
Please cite as “FVM-81-05-04a,” in Correspondence of Ferdinand von Mueller, edited by R.W. Home, Thomas A. Darragh, A.M. Lucas, Sara Maroske, D.M. Sinkora†, J.H. Voigt† and Monika Wells accessed on