Nov 17:  Cleve and Alison came to lunch & we left shortly after to take the 3:30 plane TCA. Some delay owing to engine trouble and after flying for about 30 minutes one engine went dead & we turned back to Montreal. By five we were off on a new plane & made a good flight to Idyllwild. There we took a taxi to the Plaza Hotel where we found a nice room overlooking Central Park. We dined at the Rendezvous downstairs & watched the dancing – unpacked and settled in.

Nov. 18. Up early & taxied to Ancient Arts looking for an antique gold fringe for the boudoir at Le Sabot. Bought a French saucer for Lola for Xmas. Bess went off shopping & I to Drey’s where I saw a number of early Italian pictures which I took note of; also French miniatures, 15th cent from a Book of Hours. There were two sculptured heads in wood attributed strangely to El Greco, similar to those in the Thyssen Collection in Lugarno. I could not see anything of Greco in their expression. A good bronze head of a man in typical Renaissance marble body. I was also shown a small wooden group by Riemenschneider. It appears Toronto has bought one of the early Spanish frescos I admired so much some years ago. Next to meet H[…] Hodgson at the Westbury to look at some Modern French canvases owned by Loeb of Paris; the usual abstract lot following the modern fashion. Clever but where will it end. One young painter – a follower of de Staël, seemed more solid and H[…] bought one. We lunched together at Giovanni’s & then took off for Komor’s. Here I found the usual very good selection of various objects but finally settled on two Japanese kakemonos for the Museum (Shobun & Kakai). I next called on Knoedler’s & spent an hour looking at Italian paintings from Master of Magdalene to Bellini. Messrs Messmore & __________ took a lot of trouble & are sending photos to Montreal & Ottawa.

I arrived back at the Plaza tired but satisfied. We dined in the Oak Room & went to a movie at the nearby Paris: ‘God Created Women’; well done though earthy.
Nov 19th Misty & Showers, very mild: to Herschel & Adler with a mixed lot of pictures. 3 Krieghoffs among them, one of good quality; suggested a swap of one large one for two of our smaller examples. To Kahn Monig[?] Where I bought a Raku taborette & a drinking cup of Tepe Sialk. He claims miniatures are finished, none to be had in Persia. Met Bess & Stephen Bourgeois at Roberts for lunch; good as usual. Visited Museum of Primitive Art afterwards; a new lot of things on show, beautifully presented. Called on Wildenstein where some lovely early Italians were nice to look at; prices too high, a small Daddi Crucifixion (75000) a charming Patini, small landscape ( (45000) a good [?] Madonna (95000); looked again at the two adorable panels by Bosch (80000). Tonight we dined at Giovanni’s excellent and thankfully to bed.

Nov 20th Bart’s birthday which we celebrated before leaving. To Tannhauser’s where saw a good Braque, an excellent Gauguin, a Vuillard, a recent Picasso and a violent Kandinski; sending photos of some to Ottawa. To Schaffer’s where I found an excellent Guardi & an unusually striking Guercino which might suit Montreal. A splendid series of miniatures from a French Book of Hours. Lunch at Roberts where Dougie Boocock joined us. From there I called on Morley & bought a medal by Pisanello of Lionello d’Este for the Museum. Phoned Storn, but line busy. Dined in our room too tired to eat.

Nov. 21 Phoned Ternbach for small Chavin bone but not ready. To Borowski where I saw some fine bronze baubles (Etruscan) which I am having sent on approval; lunched alone at the Westbury as John Wise is in Panama. To Emmerich where I bought a fine figure smiling lady from Vera Cruz. To Klayman’s- a wonderful collection of Primitive Art. Bought a fine Mayan figurine, a carved bowl and a superb dish from Vera Cruz, figured in colour in Furtwanger plate. Called at Beshie’s where I looked at a large Persian velvet hanging of Shah Abbas period. He had a wonderful carpet in for repairs, 16th cent. The enameled XIV Syrian lamp I wanted has gone back to Paris. Back to Borowski’s who had unpacked a collection of bowls Nishapur, Amol etc. but I did not by any; saw some cylinder seals & took two early ‘Brocade’ style! Dined at Passy’s on 63rd St. good food & roomy surroundings.

Nov. 22nd Friday, lovely day Phoned to confirm our flight & to give up RR bedroom. To Tozzi but bought nothing; to Konchakyi’s and bought a monumental Rakka jar I have long had my eye on; looked at his seals, nothing remarkable. Back to hotel, paid bill & wired to Tony to meet plane. All packed & off by Taxi to the Airport & so to the plane which left at 2:15. Excellent flight, through customs & to home.

Regretted not having time to call on Mr. Sammet at French & Co.; also Germaine Seligman who had an exhibit of Master Drawings. I phoned [Nasali M.] Heeramaneck but he was out.

Went Thursday afternoon to Met to see ‘Collectors Choice’ a series of groups of donations given in the past to the Museum; beautifully done, (see Bulletin).