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Correspondence from Karl Germer to Philip Kaplan
Barstow, Cal. 601 Frances Drive
Mr. Philip Kaplan 47-17 39th Ave Long Island City 4, N.Y.
October 22, 1956.
My dear Mr. Kaplan:
Since arriving here, and especially since your letter came of Sept. 15, I did not know from one day to the other whether to write, what to write, or how. I was fairly positive that I would soon after my arrival here be able to unpack all my archives and get in touch with you to send those things which you wanted to see; particularly those photos of paintings which I have here.
Believe me, or, better, believe it not, for it is unbelievable that up to this moment I have not been able to find a suitable place to set up permanent shop. I had packed the archives in 20 large cases. It has only been found advisable to unpack ten of these, those with files and urgent papers needed for reference. Unless I have a permanent place to settle down, I won't take the risk and the labor to unpack everything, with the chance that I may have to move soon.
This grotesque uncertainty has kept me from writing, unless there was positive business to be transacted. Even my address is incertain [sic]. This house is for sale, and I may have to move any week or month. Not a pleasant situation.
For this and other reasons, please bear with me. I enjoyed your hospitality with Mr. Jacobs [Samuel Jacobs] that evening so much, and I do not forget it. Of course, I would have been happy to meet you when you were in Los Angeles. It would have been a cinch to drive to L.A. to make this possible. In fact, I have to drive to Los Angeles almost every week; more, I must have driven many thousands of miles since coming to the West, to San Francisco area, Las Vegas, San Diego, and to many many places in search for a suitable headquarters.
This by way of explanation of my present circumstances. As soon as I am in a solid set-up, be sure I shall take matters up at once. I was almost ashamed to write you before, as there have been several carrots dangled before my nose recently, with great possibilities—it always turned out to be a mirage.
But when you come West again, please notify me in time and I should be only too happy to meet you. Give my best regards to Mr. Jacobs, I feel there is more behind his unassuming facade than meets the eye. I wish I had the key to all his probably vast knowledge, and insight. I have thought about him often.
With best wishes to you, and hoping to keep in contact with you more frequently and more profitably to you,
Yours sincerely
Karl Germer
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