July 4, 1977

Dear Mr Plant,

More excuses for not writing to thank you for all the beautiful stamps and the Cochin Club Newsletter. This time really serious excuse, I’ve had a recurrence of an old spinal fracture, have to wear a most disagreeable brace and sit with my back against a tall electric heater. There have been many days when I could hardly walk. So you see, I haven’t felt much like writing. I hope you wrote to the librarian at University of Tokyo about the bantams before 1860. I feel certain that it had taken centuries to breed them to perfection, and that they must have existed in Japan as well as in China. The Japanese were real Bantam fanciers, look at all the lovely colors they achieved with their own tiny Chabo. Did I tell you, it was a librarian at University of Tokyo who was able to find a copy for me of a scarce Poultry book that had color pictures of all breeds?

My book collecting has slowed down, most offerings are things I already have, or modern text-books, or fantastic prices. Do you get English rare-book catalogues? You just wouldn’t believe the prices! Only the Oil Barons could afford.

Did I tell you, my whole collection is going to Kansas State University? That is in what we call the Middle West, center of USA. They have a fine Poultry Department and draw students from many countries, so my books will safe and possible useful.

I thank you for all the lovely stamps. I liked the one best of Pioneer Family. We had pioneers in this country too, much hardship.

Until my back gets better, please don’t expect letters, unless I can really help you.

Most sincerely,