System Number: 05133
Date: 16 June 1892
Author: Alexander Reid[1]
Place: Glasgow
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler R32
Document Type: ALS
LA SOCIÉTÉ DES BEAUX-ARTS.
GLASGOW: 227 WEST GEORGE STREET
PARIS: 6 PLACE D'ANVERS.
16th June 1892
Dear Mr Whistler.
I need not say the "Princesse[2]" has been the admired of all here (of the Artistic all I mean) & has won for you the enthusiastic advocacy of not a few whom the Carlyle[3] impressed but failed to cheer.
I have been revelling in the honour & glory of showing the picture but am rudely interrupted by Mr Prange[4] requesting it for the Portrait Soc:
Mr Prange's hopes would certainly have received a douche had he not sent me this morning your telegram. The only thing left for me is to pose as a martyr, [p. 2] & to note that the portrait Society are very much my debtors:
At present my tastes are decid[ed]ly Whistlerian & the Princesse has not sickened me a bit.
What about the "Lady Archibald[5]" - is she still to the fore but I daresay she will stand too much on her dignity to go for an "old song"
Br[i]ef I would not mind entering into the same arrangement about her as I did about the "Fur Cloak[6]" were such a scheme agreable, to the distinguished painter (& owner.).
The favour of Mr Whistler's reply would greatly oblige his devoué
Alex Reid,
I wrote to Potter Palmer[7] Brown's hotel Paris but my letter came back "not found"
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Alexander Reid
Alexander Reid (1854-1936), Glasgow dealer [more]. This is a reply to JW's letter, #03203.
2. Princesse
La Princesse du pays de la porcelaine (YMSM 50).
3. Carlyle
Arrangement in Grey and Black, No. 2: Portrait of Thomas Carlyle (YMSM 137).
4. Mr Prange
Francis Gerard Prange (b. ca 1843), London art dealer [more], who had written to JW about 2nd Exhibition, Society of Portrait Painters, London, 1892.
5. Lady Archibald
Arrangement in Black: La Dame au brodequin jaune - Portrait of Lady Archibald Campbell (YMSM 242).
6. Fur Cloak
Arrangement in Black and Brown: The Fur Jacket (YMSM 181).
7. Potter Palmer
Potter Palmer (1826-1902), collector [more].