System Number: 00751
Date: [25/30 October [1901][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: John James Cowan[2]
Place: [Edinburgh]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler C 252
Document Type: ALS[3]
Have left Heinemann's[4] - Write to
Tallants Hotel
20. North Audley Street
Grosvenor Square
My dear Cowan -
I just read your letter[5] - You ought to get a fine return for the Whistlers you have - and I hope they will go into good hands - Do get me at once good photographs of Mrs. Whibley[6] - The Ice [p. 2] picture[7] - and the "little Hoxton"[8] -
The real thing to do is to cable to
Charles Freer[9]. Detroit - Michigan -
He is collector and great friend - also can afford - I would rather these pictures went to him - direct from you -
Wednesday
Oct 30}
Again days have passed and my letters to you delayed in the great whirl of things! This affair of the stolen pictures[10] is in full swing - and you certainly are not to be left out in the cold! - However first let me tell you that at least I instantly did write to Mr Freer[11] - (he will I suppose have the letter by the end of this week) and advised him buy the Ice picture and the little water colour (Mrs. Whibley) - so that is attended to - and you can write direct to him yourself, saying that I have begged you to do so - and telling him the price - Or you might even cable now - Something like this:
Whistler wishes advise you price Thames picture..., watercolour..., letter follows -
So that on receipt of my letter he may cable you without loss of time. - His address is
Charles Freer. 33. Ferry Avenue. Detroit Michigan. U. S. A. - but, for cable, I think Freer Detroit sufficient -
Now Reid[12]! Now, as you see by the other letter, the curtain is soon to go up and the play begins! - Most of [p. 3] these defective & purloined pictures[13] have passed through Reid's hands - though of course he may be (?) quite square himself! However at this moment while he thinks that one only of the questionable works has been stopped, he will find himself called to account on all sides! The red head he will in a day or two hear of! - and you now[14] will write immediately & say that Mr Whistler declares both[15] the pictures Mr Reid has sold to you to have been taken from his studio without his knowledge or consent - He claims them as his own property - and says moreover that they have been tampered with & painted upon - and that you cannot & will not for a moment entertain such a condition of things! - That you call upon Mr. Reid to explain instantly clear up the situation. -
This is your first move! - And my dear Cowan, fire away! and let us hear at once! -
This must go now[16], so, with kindest regards,
Always,
J McNeill Whistler
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [25/30 October [1901]
Year date from J. J. Cowan to JW, #00750 to which this letter appears to be a reply.
2. John James Cowan
John James Cowan (1846-1936), paper manufacturer and collector [more]. He had written to JW on 24 October 1901, #00750.
3. ALS
The paper has a mourning border.
4. Have left Heinemann's
Double underlined. JW stayed with William Heinemann (1863-1920), publisher [more] at 6 Norfolk Street.
5. your letter
Probably #00750, letter dated 24 October 1901.
6. Mrs. Whibley
Rose and Silver: Portrait of Mrs Whibley (M.1415).
7. The Ice picture
The Thames in Ice (YMSM 36) was bought by C. L. Freer.
8. little Hoxton
Red and brown - Hoxton (M.1004) was also bought by C. L. Freer.
9. Charles Freer
Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), industrialist, collector and founder of the Freer Gallery of Art [more]. See the letter from Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), JW's sister-in-law [more], to Freer, 25 October 1901, #11590.
10. stolen pictures
Possibly including The Girl in Red (YMSM 312), Alice Butt (1) (YMSM 437) and Violet and Blue: The Red Feather (YMSM 503); there is some doubt as to whether they were really stolen from JW's studio.
11. write to Mr Freer
Untraced.
12. Reid
Alexander Reid (1854-1936), Glasgow dealer [more]. Reid seems to have received works stolen from JW's studio in Paris 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 but later became suspicious of the signature. JW believed that the pictures had been worked on by someone else (J. J. Cowan to JW, #00752).
13. purloined pictures
Cowan had boughtAlice Butt (2) (YMSM 438) and The Bridesmaid (YMSM 487) from Reid (see Cowan to JW, #00750 and #00752).
14. now
Double underlined.
15. both
Double underlined.
16. now
Double underlined.