System Number: 01245
Date: [22 June 1892][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Marcus Bourne Huish[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler F177
Document Type: ALdS
33. Rue de Tournon - Paris -
Dear Mr Huish -
I am still too busy overwhelmed with business to Kindly then have made out for me a cheque for - £. If you come over yourself or send Mr Browne[3] to Paris and let Mr Browne bring it with him as he proposes - - For I have the proofs here and will would like to deliver them personally into his hands or your own - are you not coming to Paris? - that I may point out some matters - most important I think certainly - Of the th Of one fact meanwhile I trust you will have no difficulty in seeing - That doubt is the necessity of at once asking prices for these proofs that shall keep pace with the prices of my own for my works at the present day -
I must I am afraid reserve much, so very busy am I, for another letter or better still, until I see you or Mr Browne -
There remain of The Doorway[4] . . . to be printed
" The Palaces .
The Beggars .
When I have the chance and am properly set up in my studio here, I will complete the printing number, Meanwhile nurse what you have - sell only two or three proofs if needs must, at fifteen or sixteen guineas, and begin to ask at once 20. guineas apiece - Be in no hurry and I will really have given you a fortune I have told Mansfield[5] everyone & others that of course that would be the price - All collectors, will be obliged to have these proofs - this is what you & Mr Browne had no idea of -
But look at Mr Mansfield - He said to me directly he saw them, "Of course I will have[6] to [p. 2] have these! notwithstanding that I have already the collection.["] - Also Mr Freer[7] of Detroit - and Mr Hecker[8] and others - they will all require them -
If you had been less careful The exhibition of the proofs here will have been greatly to the good -
Also I have printed a proof extra of the finest set each for the British Museum - as I announced - and of most of the important ones to present to the Librairie National - here - and to King Spain - & Italy -
All of which will give your "last states" an enormous éclat[9] - and you can dole out with care your few proofs at 20 - 25 - & 30 guineas apiece - -
Very truly Yrs
J M Whis[tler] Eq
RESTAURANT & HÔTEL FOYOT[10]
RUE DE TOURNON, 33
PARIS,
LE 189
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [22 June 1892]
This is a draft of #01246, which is so dated.
2. Marcus Bourne Huish
Marcus Bourne Huish (1843 - d.1921), barrister, writer and art dealer, Director of the Fine Art Society [more].
3. Mr Browne
Ernest George Brown (1853 or 1854-1915), assistant manager at the Fine Art Society [more].
4. Doorway
JW had not completed the edtion of impressions of The Doorway (K.188), The Palaces (K.187) and The Beggars (K.194) for Mr Whistler's Etchings of Venice, 1880 (the first 'Venice Set') (K. 183-189, 191-195). (excat 5).
5. Mansfield
Howard Mansfield (1849-1938), New York lawyer, print collector [more].
6. have
Double underlined.
7. Mr Freer
Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), industrialist, collector and founder of the Freer Gallery of Art [more].
8. Mr Hecker
Col. Frank J. Hecker (1846-1927), partner of C. L. Freer, Michigan and Peninsular Car Company [more].
9. éclat
Fr., splendour, brilliance.
10. RESTAURANT ... FOYOT
The text was written at right angles to the printed address.