System Number: 01798
Date: 26 November 1878[1]
Author: Algernon Graves[2]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler G164
Document Type: ALS
6 Pall Mall
Nov 26 / 78
Dear Mr Whistler
Allow me to congratulate you on getting the verdict altho I am very grieved at the very insignificant sum awarded, Still It saves your name and saves your paying Ruskin's costs[3] [p. 2] I shall send tomorrow at about 11 for the Carlyle & Mrs Whistler pictures[4], and before the latter goes back to Josey[5] we purpose advertising both pictures on view at Pall Mall and thus give the public an opportunity of seeing these two [p. 3] fine works
if they have not yet returned from the West[minste]r Palace Hotel[6] our van can go on there for them if you will kindly leave an order to deliver them
I remain
Yours faithfully
Algernon Graves
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. 26 November 1878
The case of Whistler v. Ruskin was heard at the Queen's Bench of the High Court on 25-26 November 1878.
2. Algernon Graves
Algernon Graves (1845-1922), of H. Graves and Co., print dealers [more].
3. Ruskin's costs
JW was awarded a farthing damages and was left to pay his own costs. A subscription was launched by The Fine Art Society to pay Ruskin's costs.
4. Carlyle & Mrs Whistler pictures
Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 2: Portrait of Thomas Carlyle (YMSM 137) and Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Painter's Mother (YMSM 101) were deposited with Graves as security for a loan.
5. Josey
The portraits were engraved by Richard Josey (1840-1906), reproductive engraver [more], and published by H. Graves and Co. The first proofs of Carlyle were delivered on 2 December 1878 (Pennell, Elizabeth Robins, and Joseph Pennell, The Life of James McNeill Whistler, 2 vols, London and Philadelphia, 1908, I, pp. 226-27). A subscription form for Whistler's mother's portrait, organised by C. A. Howell, is dated 1 January 1878 (J. A. Rose to C. A. Howell, #01798).
6. West[minste]r Palace Hotel
Several pictures which had been exhibited at the 1st Summer Exhibition, Grosvenor Gallery, London, 1877, were displayed to the jury at the Hotel.