System Number: 01265
Date: 20 May 1893
Author: Ernest George Brown[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler F196
Document Type: ALS
BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT
[royal coat of arms]
TO H. R. H. THE PRINCE OF WALES.
FIRST SPECIAL AWARD SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1879.
MELBOURNE, 1880.
DIPLOMA OF HONOUR VIENNA, 1883.
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS:
"FINART, LONDON."
PLEASE ADDRESS ALL LETTERS TO THE SOCIETY.
THE FINE ART SOCIETY,
LIMD
148, NEW BOND ST.
W.
May 20th 1893
Dear Mr Whistler,
All right I must put off my trip until you are ready. I am glad you have plenty of commissions. I hear you are going to decorate a public building in Boston[2]. I should like very much to exhibit the pictures in our large gallery before they go to America. We shall show Mr Abbey's[3] I think.
I was afraid the time was [p. 2] too short for you to print the proofs, in fact, when I think of it it would be impossible I know the care you take in your work and that nothing would induce you to let go a proof that you did not approve of. I also know that to print a number like that means a great deal of work and patience.
I am afraid I must admit that we have not behaved very nicely about them and that we did not appreciate their true worth.
About the Japanese paper I will get it for you or anything else that you want in that way. Let me know how much you require.
[p. 3] I shall wait now to hear from you about the rest of the proofs and will try and run over for a day or two when you let me know that they are ready.
Yours faithfully
Ernest G. Brown.
James McN. Whistler Esq
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Ernest George Brown
Ernest George Brown (1853 or 1854-1915), assistant manager at the Fine Art Society [more]. When Brown suggested in an earlier letter (#01264) that he could come over to Paris to collect the Venice etching proofs that JW had been printing, JW replied hastily that they would not be ready: 'I have work of the utmost importance - involving hundreds of golden guineas - (which is the clearest way of putting it to the Fine Art Society!) that cannot be put aside at this moment' (see #03612). JW had never completed the printing of Mr Whistler's Etchings of Venice, 1880 (the first 'Venice Set') (K. 183-189, 191-195). (excat 5).
2. Boston
Study for three decorative panels representing 'The Landing of Columbus', 'Queen Isabel la Catôlica of Spain', and 'Queen Elizabeth of England' for Boston Public Library, Massachusetts (M.1356). JW was also working on a portrait of Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932), dealer with H. Wunderlich and Co., New York [more] (Portrait of E. G. Kennedy (1) (YMSM 403)).
3. Mr Abbey's
Edwin Austin Abbey (1852-1911), painter and illustrator [more].