Jack Doughty Oct 27, 2011:

Yes, I think you're right. Looking at it again, I think it is more likely being used at the beginning of a letter, in which case, as you say, it is possible.

Nadezhda Wenzel Oct 27, 2011:

Jack, I agree with you concerning the variant with the phrase at the end of the letter. But at the beginning it's quite OK, I think.
E.g: let us express our appreciation and respect (http://www.google.ru/url?sa=t&rct=j&q="let us express our ap...

Jack Doughty Oct 27, 2011:

Are such elaborate expressions used in English? If this comes at the end of a letter, followed by a signature, I think in English we would merely say "With respect", or "Yours sincerely".