System Number: 03722
Date: 26 April 1893
Author: Charles F. McKim[1]
Place: New York
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler M56
Document Type: TLS
McKIM, MEAD & WHITE,
NO. 1 WEST 20TH STREET,
NEW YORK.
26th April 1893.
My dear Mr. Whistler:
I send you herewith plan and perspective of Bates Hall[2] showing the rectangular panel, of which we talked last winter. We hope to be able to send you the written[3] commission for this work within a few days, Mr. Abbott[4] having just returned from Europe.
Panels, A, B & C explained in plan and perspective form a basis of prospective work which we hope to confide to your hands in the near future -- the object being to form eventually a "Whistler Corner", reached by a door-way through a the[5] bronze and marble open grille screen, shown in plan and perspective. Feeling what your wish would probably be, we have urged upon the trustees the importance of reserving these panels for you as a measure of self-protection both for themselves and you, thus preventing the painting of subjects not harmonious with the great rectangular panel in close proximity to it. Please let us know upon what terms you would be willing to paint the whole or any one of these three panels, so that we may be able to control the situation in your interest.
We are expecting to hear Soon[6] from the friends of James R. Osgood[7], who are interested in raising money to employ you for a Memorial to be placed in the Public Library in his name Say panels[8] A B or C, - or any thing! if [the firm?] can afford it. -- the sub-(p. 2)[9]ject, of course, not to have anything to do with Osgood.
Trusting that we shall have the pleasure of seeing you this summer in the flesh, as well as in your splendid works at Chicago,
I am
Yours sincerely,
C. F. McKim[10]
James McNeil [sic] Whistler, Esq.,
P. S. --- The plan and perspective go to you by express to-day.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Charles F. McKim
Charles Follen McKim (1847-1909), architect, of McKim, Mead and White, New York [more].
2. Bates Hall
JW made some designs but never seriously undertook the commission to decorate a panel for Bates Hall in Boston Public Library; see Study for Three Decorative Panels Representing 'The Landing of Columbus', 'Queen Isabel la Católica of Spain' and 'Queen Elizabeth of England' (YMSM 396) and 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).
3. written
Correction made in black ink.
4. Mr. Abbott
Holker Welch Abbott (1858-1930), poet and connoisseur [more].
5. the
Correction made in black ink.
6. Soon
Correction made in black ink.
7. James R. Osgood
James Ripley Osgood (1836-1892), agent for Harper and Bros, publishers [more].
8. Say panels...afford it.
Correction made in black ink.
9. (p. 2)
Printed letterhead (as on page one) and also typed initials 'J. McN. W.' appear at top of page two.
10. C. F. McKim
Signature in black ink.