Acquisition file

Notes and working papers concerning the possible provenance of the Rubens, with correspondence between the Director and Trustees discussing the various benefits of the acquisition. Letter from C.B. Savage to Philip Hendy, stating that his mother, Eva Savage, would prefer to sell her picture by auction. The picture fails to meet its reserve price of £50-100,000 however, so it is eventually offered to the National Gallery for £25,000 by private treaty. Eva Savage sells the picture to the National Gallery with Christie's acting as agents. Correspondence with I.O. Chance, chairman of Christie's, discussing the potential for a sale by private treaty. Press releases and cuttings connected with the purchase of the picture, with references to the problems caused by the non-disclosure of the purchase price. Letter from the Estate Duty Office asking for confirmation of details of any potential capital gains tax liability. Correspondence between Philip Hendy and Toby Jessel, councillor for Richmond-upon-Thames, concerning Jessel's question of whether the Rubens was purchased for too great a price. Hendy explains that the picture was purchased for considerably less than its market value.