UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Corresponence of James McNeil Whistler

return to search results

Documents associated with: Lauser, Gustave
Record 12 of 48

System Number: 09686
Date: [21 June 1892][1]
Author: Beatrix Whistler[2]
Place: Paris
Recipient: Edward Guthrie Kennedy[3]
Place: [New York]
Repository: New York Public Library
Call Number: E. G. Kennedy I/21
Credit Line: Edward Guthrie Kennedy Papers / Manuscripts and Archives Division / The New York Public Library / Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations
Document Type: ALS[4]


33 Rue de Tournon
Paris

My dear Mr Kennedy,

I am writing this for Jimmy, who says he will, of course, do the etching[5] or dry point as you think best, and will try and do it in a day, if you dont frighten him too much - He is already getting his hand in, for he is doing a portrait of a very distinguished [p. 2] man - a poet[6].

Let us know when we may expect you that we may be ready for you - Give us a few days notice - in case we are out of town.

I enclose a letter that you can give to Richards[7] to put him on his mettle.

I am looking forward to seeing those pictures[8] - two of them I have never seen -

The Bancrofts[9] called in a body yesterday - but we did not happen to be in -

With our kindest regards
Believe me.
Very sincerely

Beatrix Whistler


This document is protected by copyright.


Envelope:

'June 24, 1892'

To
E G Kennedy Esq.
c/o Gustave Lauzer[10] & Co.
Garrick St
Covent Garden -
W C.
London -
Angleterre -

[stamp:] POSTE / REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE / 25
[postmark:] PARIS 6 / R. DE VAUGIRARD / 6 21 / JUIN / 92
[postmark:] LONDON W. C./ C. X. / JU22 / 92


Notes:

1.  21 June 1892
Dated from the postmark, and the date written on the envelope at top left in an unknown hand.

2.  Beatrix Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].

3.  Edward Guthrie Kennedy
Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932), dealer with H. Wunderlich and Co., New York [more].

4.  ALS
Written in purple ink. The envelope is pale pink and glossy, printed with scrolls and flowers.

5.  etching
A proposed portrait of Kennedy, which was abandoned and apparently destroyed.

6.  poet
Stéphane Mallarmé (1842-1898), Symbolist writer and poet [more]; JW made two portraits, Stéphane Mallarmé, No. 2 (C.59) and Stéphane Mallarmé (C.60).

7.  Richards
Stephen Richards (b. ca 1845), picture restorer [more].

8.  pictures
The Last of Old Westminster (YMSM 39), Battersea Reach (YMSM 45), Variations in Flesh Colour and Green: The Balcony (YMSM 56) and Harmony in Blue and Silver: Trouville (YMSM 64), which had been sold by Dr John Cavafy (ca 1839-1901), physician and collector, son of G. J. Cavafy [more]. With the active encouragement of JW, they were bought by Kennedy, who returned Harmony in Blue and Silver: Trouville (YMSM 64) to JW.

9.  Bancrofts
John Chandler Bancroft (1822-1907), politician, diplomat and collector [more], and Harriet B. Bancroft (b. ca 1843), née James [more]; they had hoped to buy the paintings in question.

10.  Gustave Lauzer
JW meant Gustave Lauser (b. ca 1841), London print-seller [more].