Letter from Leonard Woolley, Winchester, to Thomas Balston, 1957 December 19: autograph manuscript signed.

Acknowledging that he has been remiss in writing and writing that he has almost recovered (from a recent illness), although the treatment continues and his eyes get tired when he uses them for too long, informing Balston that he will be going to Oxford for St. Thomas Day dinner at New College, and then to visit his sister in Bristol; congratulating Balston on the completion of his book on Staffordshire pottery figurines; remarking that his own work has been held up, and that his "Unesco history" is at an impasse owing to a recent announcement by "the bureau" stating that the general editor was authorized to alter the text and "interpolate what he pleased", and that as a result he has, "with all the other authors" withdrawn his text and denied permission to use it "unless this pronouncement is declared null & void"; noting that he will be writing a section of a "History of Oriental art which the Italians are bringing out" as well as a book on excavations, but plans to put everything off until after Christmas; informing Balston that he expects to be in town in early January.