UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

The Corresponence of James McNeil Whistler
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System Number: 01376
Date: 15 September 1902
Author: Ernest George Brown[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler F308
Document Type: ALS


BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT
[Royal coat of arms]
TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING.
TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN.

TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS, FINART, LONDON.

TELEPHONE, 3767, GERRARD. [...]

THE FINE ART SOCIETY, LTD.
148, NEW BOND STREET,
W.

Sept 15th 1902

Dear Mr Whistler,

I am sending Arnold[2] to you with the lithographs. I am sorry to say only five have been selected[.] I think I have described them correctly and they come to twenty four guineas less 15%. I hope you will not think I am "retarding the cheque" or "discouraging the artist" if I keep you waiting a little while for the money. All "the board" are away just now but I will get at them as soon as I can -

I want you to do a little favour for Mr Babbott[3]. He has written you a letter[4] telling you how much [p. 2] he enjoyed his visit to you. Would you mind writing just a line of acknowledgement and giving it to Arnold. He wants to have a line from you as a suvenir [sic] of his visit to put in his room Whistler room[.] I am sorry to trouble you just now but you would give great pleasure if you would do this.

I shall bring to you later of [sic], if I may, Mr John W. Simpson[5] a friend of Mr Babbotts, and a man very well off indeed and a great admirer of your works.

I hope you are feeling stronger now and that you will soon be quite yourself

With kind regards
Yours sincerely

Ernest G. Brown.

James McN. Whistler Esq -


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Notes:

1.  Ernest George Brown
Ernest George Brown (1853 or 1854-1915), assistant manager at the Fine Art Society [more].

2.  Arnold
T. C. Arnold, employee of the Fine Art Society. The five lithographs are unidentified.

3.  Mr Babbott
Frank Lusk Babbott (1854-1933), collector [more]. In August 1900, Babbott had purchased Rose and Gold: 'Pretty Nellie Brown' (YMSM 451).

4.  letter
See F. Babbott to JW, 13 September 1902, #00227. Brown pleaded again with JW on 8 November (#01379). JW's letter (if he wrote one) is untraced.

5.  John W. Simpson
John W. Simpson (1850-1920), lawyer and collector [more].