System Number: 00748
Date: 5 July 1901
Author: John James Cowan[1]
Place: Edinburgh
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler C249
Document Type: ALS
TELEGRAPHIC ADDESS,
"COWAN," EDINBURGH.
38 WEST REGISTER STREET,
EDINBURGH
5th July 1901
My dear Whistler,
I wish you were at hand that I might tell you about the other head[2] &c.
It would hardly do for me to purchase it, for it was so very like the one I have sent you[3], Reid[4] would wonder at my buying it. At the time I bought this one - April 1900 I might have bought another - all I recollect of it now, is that there were two reds in it. I fancy the girl must have had long red hair & that there [p. 2] was a large part of the canvas (- both background & dress?) more or less crimson.
The duplicate of my one turned up in November.
I shall be in Glasgow before long & will try to find out where these two are. I will do all I can to help you, and any information I have shall be at your service, but I don't want to run Reid into trouble.
It is caution on your behalf that prevents my writing him. I gave him £450 for the larger head, & he said to me "I don't want W. to know about it."! Or he may have put it that the man from whom they came [p. 3] didn't wish you to know.
Probably he did say that for the impression I undoubtedly formed was that the late owner was some friend of your's who didn't wish you to know that he had parted with what he might have bought from you! I got the "Lyme Regis"[5] & "Vegetable Shop"[6] panels at same time. The small head I gave £135 for & I have Reid's offer to take it back on demand for £150 after the expiry of one year from 1st April 1900 - That might indicate his bona fides? I don't remember [p. 4] that he wished it kept dark.
As you know I only told you of the big head, when doubts were thrown on the character of "the Bridesmaid"[7]!
I admit I was completely taken in by the small panel. The large head I am not surprised to hear has been repainted.
Now in all this - I have not consulted my lawyer! I knew that possession was 9/10ths of the law, & that I might have told Goupil[8] to hold the pictures to my order. But I want to see you get your rights. It has this moment occurred to me that Reid might turn up at my house & miss the pictures! [p. 5] This is a remote contingency, but he spoke 2 or 3 months ago of coming through some day.
Happy thought. Lemarchant[9] last Novr. had a customer from Roumania, who wanted to buy a Whistler head.
I think the other "Alice Butt" may have been sent by Reid to Goupils on approval & that it had come back from London when I saw it.
Lemarchant spoke to me of his wish, and subsequently Reid (or his brother) told me that Goupil had been enquiring about one. If you can trust LeM. he might therefore re-open negociations [sic]
Your's [sic] always
J. J. Cowan
[pencil sketch of a large head with notes:] 'Indian Red?
very dark eyes &
very pink lips
Blue
From Reid - Spring 1900?
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. John James Cowan
John James Cowan (1846-1936), paper manufacturer and collector [more].
2. other head
Alice Butt (1) (YMSM 437), a version of Alice Butt (2) (YMSM 438) (see below). Cowan appears to have enclosed a pencil sketch and notes about the picture with this letter.
3. one I have sent you
Alice Butt (2) (YMSM 438), which Cowan and JW thought had been stolen from JW's studio before July 1901 (see JW to J. J. Cowan, #00746). Cowan had purchased Alice Butt (2) (YMSM 438) and The Bridesmaid (YMSM 487) from him in April 1900 for £450 and £135 respectively. In a letter, Cowan mentioned another head with Alexander Reid that was similar to his own picture: 'I have seen another head very similar to the large one - the same model but and pose, but slightly different in treatment &c.' #00745. This other head was Alice Butt (1) (YMSM 437). JW believed that it had been worked on by someone else. In July 1901, he attempted to prevent the sale of the picture in London (JW to J. J. Cowan, #00749).
4. Reid
Alexander Reid (1854-1936), Glasgow dealer [more].
5. 'Lyme Regis'
The Little Nurse (YMSM 443).
6. 'Vegetable Shop'
Chelsea Shop (YMSM 374).
7. 'the Bridesmaid'
The Bridesmaid (YMSM 487). This was also thought by Cowan and JW to have been stolen and worked on by another (see note above).
8. Goupil
Firm of Paris art dealers. They also had a branch in London at Nos 116 & 117, New Bond Street.
9. Lemarchant
William Stephen Marchant (1868-1925), art dealer [more].