I (1936 – 1946)

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1930s
1936

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1930s

1936

Government of Palestine
Department of Antiquities
Jerusalem
Palestine
February 24, 1936
My dear Glueck,

I was very glad to hear that you were coming out again shortly – in June, is not? I hope you and your wise are in the best of health, and full of pep. Both Marjorie and young David are here, still in this house at Herod’s Gate, quite close to the School, where I was when you left; and we expect to be here all the coming summer until the Museum is opened. I shall not be able to go away on long leave. At present we are help up by lots of red tape regarding which I need not go into details. However, I have practically selected all the staff for exhibition _____ to the end of the B____ it remains to get bases, stands, and all that kind of thing, which cannot be bought before the beginning of the new financial year, April 1st. One can at least see the material we have now, which was impossible in the old building.

I was recently at Petra, Rumm, and Akaba, collection inscriptions, architecture, pottery. We now have an arrangement with TS by which we exhibit their principal material _____ their _____. I have recently also sent off to the press for Quarterly, an ____ on “Sigillate Wares in the Near East” with a list of Eastern potters’ stamps, collected over the past three years. The Horsfields’ work on Petra is probably going to appear in our Quarterly also, in installments. Horsfield is retiring on April 1st, his successor is not yet known.

More of the usual digs are on: Tell Duweir, Jericho, ____. Garstang is finding two Chalcolithic levels at Jericho, with more plaster floors as last year, and fragments of unbaked clay statuary. He is going to dig Tell Kersan for three years, where, in a ____ dig he has found a late Hyksos glaces and fortification wall. Fitzgerald and Rowe are with him.

How are you feeling about camel trips these days? I have been overmuch in the Museum and shall probably be ready even in the summer to do something wildish! I like to go burst now and again, it keeps me sane!

All good wishes to you both from us both, and congratulations on the appointment.

Yours ever,
J.H. Iliffe

1940s

1941

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY
May 9, 1941
Dr. Nelson Glueck
162 Glenmary Avenue
Clifton
Cincinnati, Ohio
Dear Dr. Glueck:

I have discussed your letter of May 2 with the members of the faculty of the School of Humanistic Studies of the Institute, and in reply it gives me great pleasure to send you a very cordial invitation to be a member of the Institute for the academic year, 1941-42. I very much hope that you will find various studies in progress of interest to you in your work. I am sure, on the other hand, that our group will be very much interested in the work which you have done and are doing.

If I can be of any assistance to you in making arrangements for living quarters and so on, please do not hesitate to call on me.

Looking forward with great pleasure to having you here next year, I am.

Yours sincerely,
Aydelotte

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY
July 1, 1941
Dear Dr. Glueck:

It was a great pleasure to see you at the Institute the other day, and I look forward to having you a member during the second half of the coming academic year. I am happy to inform you that it has just been made possible for the Institute for Advanced Study to offer you a stipend of $2,250 for the time you are here. I shall be glad to arrange with the Treasurer’s Office to have this fund paid to you at whatever intervals you may find convenient. My suggestions would be remittances of $400 be made on the first day of February, March, April, May, and June with an additional check for $250 on February 1 to cover your traveling and moving expenses. If, however, you would prefer any different arrangement, please do not hesitate to let me know.

With kindest regards,
Very sincerely yours,
Aydelotte

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY
July 1, 1941
Dear Dr. Glueck:

It was a great pleasure to see you at the Institute the other day, and I look forward to having you as a member during the second half of the coming academic year. I am happy to inform you that it has just been made possible for the Institute for Advanced Study to offer a stipend of $2,250 for the time you are here. I shall be glad to arrange with the Treasurer’s Office to have this fund paid to you at whatever intervals you may find convenient. My suggestion would be that remittances of $400 be made on the first day of February, March, April, May, and June with an additional check for 4250 on February 1 to cover your traveling and moving expenses. If, however, you would prefer any different arrangement, please do not hesitate to let me know.

With kindest regards,
Very sincerely yours,
Aydelotte

July 9, 1941
Dr. Frank Aydelotte, Director
The Institute for Advanced Study
Princeton, New Jersey
Dear Dr. Aydelotte:

I am glad to learn that it has been made possible for the Institute for Advanced Study to offer me a stipend of $2,250 for the time I shall spend there next year. Your suggestions that remittances of $400 be made on the first day of February, March, April, May and June, with an additional check for $250 on February 1, to cover my traveling and moving expenses, is quite satisfactory to me.

Looking forward to my stay at the Institute, and with cordial greetings, I remain
Sincerely yours,
Nelson Glueck

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY
September 11, 1941
Dear Dr. Glueck:

Will you be so kind as to fill out the enclosed form and return it promptly, as we need some of the requested information for our forthcoming bulletin?

Yours sincerely,
Marie C. Eichelser


Screen shot 2015-05-07 at 2.59.52 PMDept. of Antiquities
O. B. 586
Jerusalem, Palestine
September 14, 1941
Dear Nelson,

Many thanks indeed and congratulations as “The Other Side of the Jordan” (about six weeks ago); by it you should certainly have had T.J. on the map for a wide public, and the photographs are fine. I had a letter of your some time before the book, but with mail taking such a long time I am afraid I have been tempted to neglect my correspondence. However, I have been and still am pretty busy here, with various other things besides normal work, as you may guess. [Even I am in the Palestinian Home Guard, in spite of my left elbow, which the doctors have decided has an arthritis for which they can do nothing. I had an operation a year and a half ago, but it made the arm work if anything rather than better: I can bend the arm a certain amount, but not the right angle. However, I can drive a car and most things, although shaving with one hand is rather a nuisance!] At present, things here are not so threatening as they seemed several months ago, but we have to be prepared for anything. In June I used to sit having breakfast on my balcony, at Nashashibi Corner where I now live, and watch the army rolling by on their way to Syria. Marjorie is still here, busy with various kinds of war work, and David is at school in England since the outbreak of war.

Archaeologically, a good deal of casual finds are being made all the time in the course of new road making or other military works. In the Museum, which is still open, we are working on completing the Hellenistic Roman Byzantine Period, about which we know much less in an exact way than in the Bronze and Iron Ages: so that the catalogues and assigning of much of the material entails a good deal of research – glass for example. We hope, D.V., I have this section ready to open during the spring or early summer of next year. Poor Fisher’s death was a blow to us all, and an unexpected one. I suppose it was to you also. What is going to be done about a new Director? For the present I understand that Mrs. Pommerantz is managing the place, which is being run as a hostel to accommodate some of the many visitors and refugees in Jerusalem where it is almost impossible to find a spare bed. I think of you and the times we have had every time I am by. Slehelis, by that way, has just started to dig a cave in Carmel North of Athlit with Fisher’s support when he died. He has now enlisted Petrie’s half; (Petrie has been in and out of hospital since Oct. 1940: after a trip to el Hamme he came back exhausted, and has not been able to walk since, although his mind is clear as ever). Slehelis has found Natufian flints in this cave combined with pottery, of a rather Ghassabian [?] or at least Chalcolithic type. He is at the moment still working, I have not seen his latest finds; but it looks as if on the [?] he was getting the Mesolithic Natufian may have to be counted out, Natufian brought down, in part at least, to the Chalcolithic period. This would agree with what Garstang and Crowfoot got in the bottom deep levels at Jericho.

In the Department, Hamilton, John and I are still here, and Ben Dor of course. Shaw wears khaki or is in Libya somewhere, which he knows so well. Harding is at Ammon; he [?] have recently been on a [?] a Wadi N. of Hausa (e. of Jaffa, on the way to Kilwa) and found some curious round structures of balal, [?] very large and stuck in the ground on edge with Mousterian or quasi-Mousterian flints – a very interesting discovery. I want to return there with him sometime. He has not been too well of late; something queer with his heart or poisoned leg – During the summer most of the American staff of A.U.B was staying in Jerusalem waiting upon events. Now the University is going to reopen in October, so they have largely gone back. It was very pleasant to have such a large group of friends who know Syria well down here amongst us ‘Palestinians!’ We wanted to know how things went up there, and with a view to arrangements after the war. I [?] that next year may see the end of it. Then the work will really begin, archaeological, political, social, what you will! The golden opportunity presents itself for trying to reunite divided Syria-Palestine; but one wonder whether it will be taken. There are too many flies in the ointment. You have just had the Zionist conference, I see, in your home_____, so you will have had a front seat. I should be interested to know how it all seems from over there. Independence for Syria (= in treaty relations with X or Y?) is good, better still if Syria included Palestine, as always pre-1919. Try to imagine a Syrian-Palestinian Federation, in treaty with the Anglo-American-Russo-Chinese bloc that is going to materialize out of the war as the controlling power in world affairs for the next century, or as far as we can see! At last we seem to be on the road to something worthwhile: or can just discern dimly the faint outline of what might be in international relations. (Meanwhile, for some space yet. “No more Rom_____izing” Do you remember us listening to your radio ____ in Sept. 1938?)

By the way, you would do me ____ ____ a colossal kindness if you could occasionally send any old copies you may have of some of your ______ or representative papers of “New Republic,” “Nation,” or N.Y.T. political affairs or foreign affairs. It is difficult to get them regularly here, mail ___ ____ irregular ____ largely reduced is the pol. post for out knowledge of opinions and events on your side!

McEwan left ____early spring, is presumably now in Chicago or Washington where he hoped to get a job. What about digging archaeology after the war? Is anyone from your direction likely to start up again soon when peace comes? What ____ what you think on this or the other questions I have ____. Give our love to Helen and Martin C.J., ____ for another __ this way before too long. And remember is very warmly as all old friends.

Yours as ever,
Harry Iliffe

P.S. Shipton married 3 months ago. He and Parker are now in Spinney’s, live at Haifa. Happy New Year if this arrives in time! H.

1942

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY
March 10, 1942
Dear Dr. Flexner,

I had a talk with Nelson Glueck in Washington yesterday and we have agreed that, if satisfactory to the donors, the fund which was given to the Institute for his stipend should be held here until such time as he is free to carry out his plan to come here for a semester of study. That seems to me far and away the best solution and if you agree I shall see that is put through.

Dr. Glueck told me that he would be flying to Europe within two or three weeks, but before he leaves he has promised to stop at Princeton for a meal with us, to meet some of the members of the Institute and talk about his plans for work here when he is finally able to come.

Yours sincerely,
FRANK AYDELOTTE

1945

Strook, Strook, and Lavan
61 Broadway
New York 6, New York
October 11, 1945
Dear Nelson,

Please forgive my taking so long to answer your letter of September 26th. It got to the bottom of a pile of papers and for several days was lost.

About the Oko library: I went into this matter carefully after Adolph’s death and there does not seem to be any question but that Adolph has changed his mind about giving the library to the Hebrew University. The gift was not completed prior to this change of mind and, therefore he was under no obligation whatever. When you come to New York, I can give you further details about this, but concerning the end result, I am quite certain.

As to the gifts made to the Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton, I have examined the correspondence and I find that the last letter concerning the fit was one written by Dr. Aydelotte, of which I enclose herewith copy. In my opinion, there would be no chance of getting the Institute to pay the money over to you without your spending a stipulated time there. The donors could not take the position that it was their intention to pay the money to you as a gift, because in that event they would not be entitled to the tax exemption which all od them asserted. Again, I will be glad to talk to you about this further when you come to New York, but I am afraid your suggestion would be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to work out.

I am sorry to have to give such disappointing reply to both your inquiries. I hope you will be coming to see us soon. There is so much, including now the above, about which I would like to talk to you.

My best regards to the family,

Yours,
Bill

P.S. The absence of my name from the A.J.C. stationary has no significance. Unfortunately, I have to work as hard as ever.

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY
October 24, 1945
Dear Dr. Glueck:

I have your letter of October 16th and we all of us regret very much that your other duties have prevented you from spending some time at the Institute.

I should be glad to consult the members of the School of Humanistic Studies and the donors of your stipend fund about the fellowship-in-absentia which you suggest. I can see certain difficulties if the fund were to be handled by the Institute.

The best thing for me to do is to take the advice of both groups and report to you.

I am sorry both on your account and ours that you find it impossible to carry out the originally contemplated arrangement.

With kindest regards, I am
Yours sincerely
Frank Aydelotte

Dr. Nelson Glueck
162 Glenmary Avenue
Cincinnati 20, Ohio
December 20th, 1945
Dr. Frank Aydelotte,
Institute for Advanced Study,
Princeton, New Jersey
Dear Doctor Aydelotte:-

In June 1941 I forwarded to you checks from various persons totaling some $1500, to be added to a fund to enable Doctor Nelson Glueck to study and conduct a series of lectures in the field of biblical archaeology at the Institute. Subsequently it developed that by reason of the work which it became necessary for Doctor Glueck to do in Palestine during the war period, he was unable to come to the Institute for the contemplated semester. It was then suggested that the fund given to the Institute should be held by you until such time as Doctor Glueck would be free to carry out his plans. By letter dated March 10th, 1942, addressed to Mr. Bernard Flexner, you confirmed that this would be satisfactory to the Institute. Subsequently I received the consent to your retention of this money from all the donors to the fund.

Doctor Glueck has now returned to Cincinnati. He has sold me that it is not possible for him to plan to go to the Institute at this time. He has, however, compiled notes for a variety of different studies in the field of biblical archaeology and he plans now to make these notes the basis for some scholarly publications on the subject. He has asked me whether it would be possible to use the money in the fund as a honorarium, fellowship or scholarship to enable him to complete this work. Possible some arrangement could be worked out whereby the work could be done under the segis or imprint of the Institute.

I have no doubt whatever that I could secure the consent of the donors who are still alive to this use of the money. The only donor from whom I collected money who is not now alive is my father, and my sister and I would be ready to give our consent in his behalf. I do not remember whether Mr. Flexner was one of the donors but I feel certain that his sister would give the consent in his behalf. There may have been other donors of whom I am not aware but in their cases also I would think that consents could be obtained from their estates or their heirs.

Would you kindly let me have your thoughts with regard to the foregoing? It seems a pity not to put the money to some use as soon as possible, and Doctor Glueck’s suggestion appears to me to have great merit and to constitute a purpose close enough to the original intention of the donors in establishing the fund.

Cordially yours,
Nelson Glueck

1946

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY
Princeton, New Jersey
Alan M. Stroock, Esq.
61 Broadway
New York 6, New York
Dear Mr. Stroock:

We here at the Institute were very grateful indeed for the contributions by you and other people to enable Dr. Nelson Glueck to come here for a period of research. Now that he is unable to do so my position is that we should do anything with these funds that you and the other donors think wise. I enclose a list of persons who subscribed to the fund, together with the amount contributed by each and wish to say that I should be glad to recommend to our Trustees that we make any disposition of this fund which is desired by you and the other donors and which seems to contribute most to the realization of Dr. Glueck’s plans. I should be grateful if you would be kind enough to consult the other donors of the fund, and to notify Professor Marston Morse who will have administrative charge of the Institute during my absence of your wishes. Professor Morse will then make a suitable recommendation to the Trustees at their next meeting.

You may have heard that I am about to go off to Palestine as a member of a Anglo-American Commission. I only wish that Professor Glueck were here at this moment to give me his advice. Perhaps we may be able to induce him to appear before the Commission in Washington before we leave.

With kindest regards and warm appreciation of your generosity, I am
Yours sincerely,
FRANK AYDELOTTE

Contributions to Stipend Fund for Dr. Nelson Glueck

Henry Ittleson                                               $500.00
William Rosenwald                                       500.00
Bernard Flexner                                            750.00
Sol M. and Hilda W. Stroock                         500.00

$2250.00

Stroock & Stroock & Lauren
61 Broadway
New York 6, New York
January 2nd, 1946
Dr. Nelson Glueck,
162 Glenmary Avenue,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dear Nelson:-

Enclosed is copy of letter I received from Dr. Aydelotte this morning. I am delighted that the Institute is willing to go along with our suggestion.

Before I write to the donors of the fund, I think I should have a more specific proposal as to the uses to which the money will be put. Can you let me have your suggestion as to the form of the grant to be made to you and a statement of the purposes you have in mind?

I look forward to seeing you back East soon.

Yours,
Bill

Stroock & Stroock & Lauren
61 Broadway
New York 6, New York
January 2nd, 1946
Dr. Nelson Glueck,
162 Glenmary Avenue,
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Dear Nelson:-

I today received a letter from Dr. Marston Morse of The Institute for Advanced Study, reading as follows:-

“Your recommendation that the $2250 contributed to the Institute some years ago for the researches of Dr. Nelson Glueck be turned over to him to enable him to conduct archaeological explorations, has been referred to the Trustees with the recommendation that it be adopted.

“As soon as I hear from the trustees, I shall write you again. Thank you very much for obtaining the consent of the contributors in this plan.”

Yours,
Bill

January 16, 1946
Prof. Marston Morse
The Institute for Advanced Study
Princeton, N. J.
Dear Prof. Morse:

I assume that Dr. Aydelotte has spoken to you about the recent correspondence I had with relating to the fund which was contributed to the Institute some years ago for the benefit of Dr. Nelson Glueck. In his letter to me, dated December 27, 1945, Dr. Aydelotte asked me to continue the correspondence with you as the person who would make the necessary recommendations concerning this fund to you trustees.

I have now written to all the contributors to the fund, or in the case of those who have died, their heirs, and I have received their permission to recommend through you to the Institute that the fund, presently amounting to $2,250 should be truned over to Dr. Glueck to enable him to conduct certain new archaeological explorations of the territory of ancient Bashan in southernmost Syria or, should that exploration prove to be impossible, for related work in other territories in Biblical lands. Dr. Glueck proposes then to dedicate the scientific report of the results of such archaeological research to the Institute for Advanced Study. Would you kindly let me know whether this suggestion meets with the approval of your trustees. I assume that the fund would be turned over to Dr. Glueck in one sum.

With my thanks for your cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely yours,

THE INSTITUTE FOR ADVANCED STUDY
Princeton, New Jersey
February 5, 1946
Dr. Nelson Glueck
162 Glenmary Avenue
Cincinnati 20, Ohio
Dear Dr. Glueck:

The Treasurer of the Institute for Advanced Study has been informed by Mr. Alan M. Stroock that the donors of the fund which was originally contributed for the purpose of studies to be pursued by you at the Institute for Advanced Study should now be turned over to you to enable you to conduct certain new archaeological explorations of the territory of ancient Bashan in southernmost Syria or, should that exploration prove to be impossible, for related work in other territories in Biblical lands. Mr. Stroock writes that you then propose to dedicate the scientific report of the results of such archaeological research to the Institute for Advanced study.

As Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Institute which is acting for Dr. Aydelotte in his absence, I am very happy to send you the check for $2,250 for this purpose and to wish you the utmost success in your work. We would appreciate it if you would acknowledge the receipt of this check so that we may be assured that the wishes of the donors have been carried out as indicated by Mr. Stroock.

Your sincerely,
Marston Morse
Chairman of the Standing Committee

HARALD INGHOLT
BOX 2146 YALE STATION
NEW HAVEN, CONN. 06520
Dear Nelson,

Many thanks and sincere congratulations on your magnificent opus; “Deities and Dolphins” which arrived here yesterday. I look forward very much to studying it in detail and learning from it. Your colleagues working in the sphere of archaeology of the ancient Near Easter will be grateful to you for the mass of pertinent information now as convenient and clearly assembled.

Cordially yours,

Harald Ingholt

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