System Number: 05159
Date: 27 March 1894
Author: Alexander Reid[1]
Place: Glasgow
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler R58
Document Type: ALS
LA SOCIÉTÉ DES BEAUX-ARTS.
GLASGOW: 227 WEST GEORGE STREET.
PARIS: 6 PLACE D'ANVERS.
27th March 1894.
Dear Mr Whistler.
In your last you said something about business.
Well I have been working very hard for you here & I think if you would make up your mind to come here for a few weeks you would not regret it from a pleasant holiday point of view, & the business side would be attended to. I have as yet got nothing fixed but my friend Mr Kay[2] (Mr Arthurs[3] partner) has almost arranged (with a friend) for two portraits, & there is another one on the tapis[4]. One of the portraits would be a full length & the [p. 2] other two smaller ones.
Brief[ly] the thing rests partly in abeyance because I am not sure that you would come here
Would you come here for say a couple of months if you had the promise (to begin with of say those portraits 1 full length & two small at say £2.000 for the 3.
It would be a delightful holiday for you (as good as Brittany) & you would see the land of all the Macneills!
You might let me know & as there is as yet nothing fixed you may put it such a way as you think best
For the full length & other picture I don't think the price would matter for a few hundreds[,] the third would depend on price a little[5]. Then I should expect a commission of 10%. which you might bear in mind while fixing the price.
You might let me know generally your notion.
Kindest Regards.
Reid.
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Notes:
1. Alexander Reid
Alexander Reid (1854-1936), Glasgow dealer [more].
2. Mr Kay
Arthur Kay, business partner of T. G. Arthur.
3. Mr Arthurs
Probably Thomas Glen Arthur (1858-1907), clothing merchant and textile manufacturer [more].
4. tapis
Fr., carpet (meaning, under consideration).
5. little
'little ... Reid' is written in the left hand margin, at right angles to the main text.