197. Wright, Frank Lloyd . Typed Letter Signed "F. LL. W" to Edgar Tafel requesting testimony to the cultural value of his foundation due to Wright's not-for-profit status being rescinded. 4to, written on single side of Taliesin stationary, with minor holograph annotation; light wear, creased at folds, staple holes to upper margin.Tafel was Wright's former apprentice and worked with Wright on such important designs as Fallingwater, the Johnson Wax Building, and several "Usonian" houses.

(Scottsdale, Arizona), May 9, 1957 [400/600]

Dear Edgar:The Foundation is to appear at a court-hearing on Saturday, June 18th, at 10:00 a.m. in Madison, State of Wisconsin, concerning income tax. Our status as a cultural organization seems in jeopardy and taxation retroactive. The loss of our present status would probably ruin our work.We are writing to some of you staunch boys now out in the world for yourselves, asking you to testify as to what of cultural value you received from life at Taliesin -- backing that up with a statement of what you are now doing. Some photographs of your buildings or published recognition of work would help give testimony credence. Would you appear for us in this struggle and testify at the hearing?We are on the way to Baghdad on commission, returning about May 21st. Kindly let us hear from you at Taliesin North [Spring Green, Wisconsin]. The greatest service you could render would be to appear in court and testify to the value of our work in Organic Architecture where you were concerned with Taliesin leadership. The Foundation will pay your expenses to and from Wisconsin?The matter is serious. By our enemies we may have Taliesin taken away from us.Affectionately,"