Miss Jane Addams --
Mademoiselle,
Permit me to address this letter to you with the hope of making you interested in my idea of propagating an etching of mine, in which I have [endeavored] to symbolize the idea of the Worlds Peace.
If, in the way of introduction, I mention that I am a Hungarian artist, I must add that I am an Internationalist. I may yet state that I have great sympathy with Americans. As to making my own recommendation as an artist, of course it is scarcely possible for me. At any rate, I have a certain name in Hungary and Transylvania (I am a son of Charles Ferenczy, one of the greatest Hungarian painters ). In later years, I have done a considerable [amount] of etched work, of which the etching in question is the one to which I attach the greatest importance -- among all my works, paintings and etchings, it is the one to which I have devoted the most assiduous care.
I call it "Ara Pacis". Romain Rolland, to whom I had sent it, has written to me that he thought of asking my permission to have it reproduced in a book which he intends or intended to publish with the title "Ara Pacis". Of course I would have been most glad of this, but at any rate this could only have been a diminutive photographic reproduction. My chief aim is to have a [publication] issued of the original etching, or rather etchings, as I have subsequently made two other etched versions of the same idea, only in a somewhat different way.
My etchings "Ara Pacis" I., II., and III. have been exhibited several times in Hungary and Transylvania, reproduced in catalogues and magazines, dealt with in newspapers etc. -- but I purposely did not sell them, as I meant to reserve them for an important publication in some western country -- America, perhaps -- where, in some way, eventually with the aid of prominent Pacifists, I might ensure them a vast and international publicity. In Hungary -- not to speak of Transylvania and [Romania] -- the artistic, economical and political conditions are not of the kind to give me any fair chance of such a publication.
With the propagation of this work of mine on a large scale -- besides my natural desire as an artist to make the work which I think my best as widely known as possible -- I am convinced to serve, in my own way, the idea Pacifism. [page 2]
Now, what has given me the idea of addressing myself to you were some newspaper-reports about your and your Leagues splendid appeal in the interest of the Worlds Peace. The fact that the women are making this appeal falls in very much with the idea of my etchings, in which, on a symbolical altar, I have represented figures of women holding each other by the hand, stepping onward -- as it were, into Future -- sustaining each other and looking out hopefully and longingly to the rays of a hidden sun piercing a sky of stormy clouds.
My cherished idea is that these etchings of mine should make their way to a public as numerous and as international as possible. I imagine that, among the vast multitude of people who, in their hearts, adhere to the ideal of Peace, quite a number might find in my "Ara Pacis" an artistic expression of their feeling, and might like to have it in their homes as a symbol of their Pacifist faith.
If, as I hope, you take interest in my idea and would be so kind to be willing to help me -- directly or indirectly by directing me to other pacifists or pacifist societies that you think would be interested in my idea -- I am sure it will be easy to find a suitable basis for its realization.
I should have been glad to send you proofs of "Ara Pacis" but as I don't know your address, I before all must wait and see if by chance this letter reaches you.
With the assurance of the greatest sympathy with and admiration for your eminent humanitary work --
Yours most respectfully
Valer Ferenczy [signed]
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