Letter from Paul Rosenberg, New York, to Jos Hessel, 1941 April 9 : carbon copy of a typescript.

Informing him that he had learned of the death of Josse (Bernheim, of whose gallery Jos Hessel was the director). He is glad that Gaston (Bernheim-Jeune) is feeling better. Informs him that, in order for Rosenberg to take possession of Hessel's paintings (see other letters), Hessel needs only to send him a letter authorizing him to do so by the American Consulate. The paintings in question cannot be sold without this authorization. The money will be put in a special account in only Hessel's name. He thanks Hessel for news about art objects in France but says that they will need to wait until the war is over to see what the situation is with some of them. Rosenberg has been sick in bed for a month but thinks he is improving. He's lost a lot of weight because he hasn't been eating. He wonders about what the future will bring for their children. Although he himself is not finding life to be easy, he wants to help Hessel and any of his other friends still in Europe in any way he can. Business in New York is bad, and the future is uncertain. One reason is that people are burdened with huge amounts of taxes.