System Number: 02968
Date: [February/August 1892?][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Marcus Bourne Huish[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler LB 3/31
Document Type: ALS
33. Rue du Tournon. Paris -
Dear Mr Huish -
I am then sending you the proofs - as you wish - though I regret not being able to go over there with you & Mr Browne[3] -
I think you ought to have a picked set framed in my old frames[4] - (the very narrow white ones with the brown lines) and shown -
My desire had been that you should have had a set of these last new states - a set of the old * ones * larger[5] than the later ones - more margin -, a set of the destroyed proofs - and the [p. 2] plates themselves, all framed and hung in the little room - This would then have made a peculiar and interesting little exhibition - where all the Dilitanti [sic] and connaisseurs [sic] could have wagged their heads to their hearts content - all the wisdom of Wedmore[6] - fancy - and other authorities whose names I forget - You would have had all this - and I think it would have been to the good - The article[7] in the Pall Mall, points to the kind of thing I had intended -
But to do it at all it should [be] perfect - and now it had better be only restricted to a collection of these last new states -
Please let the cheque be made payable to the order of Messrs G. & W. WEBB[8]. of 11. Austin Friars. E. C. London - They are managing some of my business matters for me now - and I have written to them to receive it for me -
Of course if the cheque has already been made out in my name, it don't [sic] matter - send it on to me in a registered letter -
You will see that I have marked for Mr Mansfield[9]. 1. "Palaces" - 1 "Doorway" 1. "Traghetto". 1. "Beggars". 1. "Two Doorways[10]".
For Mr E. G. Kennedy[11]. 2. "Doorway". 2. "Beggars". 1. "Two Doorways". 2. "Traghettos".
Mr Browne knows where on the back to look for these delicate signs - together with others signifying choice[12] -
There are one or two marked Ex. for you to frame and show -
Very faithfully
J McN Whistler
The[13] Etchings are coming in separate packets by Colis Postal -
Kindly let me know of each arrival - as I shall be anxious
[p. 3] Madame[14]
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [February/August 1892?]
Dated by address and JW's use of purple ink.
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. frames
The etchings were at one time, probably in 1883, framed in narrow white frames, with narrow parallel brown lines painted on them.
5. * larger
'* larger ... margin - ' is written at the bottom of the page.
6. Wedmore
Frederick Wedmore (1844-1921), art critic [more].
7. article
Possibly Anon., 'Mr. Whistler's Venice Etchings. Some Account of Their Final State,' The Pall Mall Gazette, 2 November 1891.
8. G. & W. WEBB
George Webb (b. ca 1835), of G. and W. Webb. lawyer [more]; and William Webb (b. ca 1851), of G. and W. Webb, lawyer [more].
9. Mr Mansfield
Howard Mansfield (1849-1938), New York lawyer, print collector [more].
10. Two Doorways
The etchings exhibited are all from A Set of twenty-six etchings of Venice, 1886 (the second 'Venice set') (K.196-216, 233-237). (excat 6): The Palaces (K.187), The Doorway (K.188), The Traghetto, No.2 (K.191), The Beggars (K.194), The Two Doorways (K.193).
11. E. G. Kennedy
Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932), dealer with H. Wunderlich and Co., New York [more].
12. others signifying choice
Some etchings were marked on the verso with a tiny circle.
13. The
The rest of the letter was written in the left margin, at right angles to the main text.
14. Madame
A large blot of black ink follows this word, obscuring any possible name.