Letter from Karl Hartl to Oskar Kokoschka, re-sent by Kokoschka to J.P. Hodin

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[Translation/transcription]

Karl Hartl
Extraordinary Emissary and Authorised Minister
Foreign Office
Ballhausplatz 2
1010 Vienna

This is his full title


Dear Master Pepi,

Please reply to Hartl, who's an old friend. All my love, yours OK


The Ambassador of Austria

Professor Oskar KOKOSCHKA
Villeneuve
Vaud
Switzerland


Vienna

7 August 1969


My dear O.K. -

Do enquire with your wife, who doubtless has command of the Bohemian language: there's a proverb in the language of that region which, approximately translated, says: 'If my grandmother is without a care, she buys herself a sow.' Only it sounds far nicer in the Czech.

I already have a considerable stock and have now shelved a new copy there.

Regarding the Austrian painter Heinz GREISSING: you're aware that I'm now in charge of the cultural department at the foreign office, and so, plebeian though I am, I do meet with the élite. But since money and competence are with the ministry of education, the options I have are limited. When Fritz Torberg once asked me what I actually do, I replied: 'I keep an eye out and try to ensure that any efforts to project an Austrian image abroad don't end up revealing the true face of Austria there.' And so, hemmed and hindered as I am, I'm compelled to turn to private initiatives.

Greissing, it seems to me, is a boy - albeit a boy of thirty-six - for whom one could usefully make a little effort. He was once a student of yours, incidentally - in Salzburg, I believe - though of course I wouldn't be at all surprised if he only made a very fleeting impression on you.

Now I ask one thing of you: I certainly wouldn't want to mobilise the great O.K., who has other things to do, not least in my inerest. I merely want him to put in a good word for me and Greissing with Hodin in London, who, though I know him, tends to see things differently when you stand behind them. So, if you were to be so kind as to inform Hodin that I will be writing to him about one Heinz Greissing, Vienna, 16th district, Sandleitengasse 42/21/16, and will be asking him to take this man under his wing, and if you were then to raise this kindness to a favour by letting me know that you had written to Hodin - I would prefer your letter to arrive before mine - then my attachment to you would almost inevitably become an indebtedness.

I kiss your wife's hand and remain most sincerely yours,

Hartl

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