System Number: 05785
Date: 12 July 1893
Author: David Croal Thomson[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler T130
Document Type: ALS
THE GOUPIL GALLERY
[Royal coat of arms]
BOUSSOD VALADON & CO.
5, REGENT STREET, S. W.
TELEGRAMS, BOUSSOD, LONDON.
London
12 July 1893.
Dear Mr Whistler,
The newly signed sets (20) of the Album[2] are on the way & it is quite certain the signatures will be done with all the daintiness of every thing you touch.
Herewith is cheque for £25/-/- being £20 on account of signatures & £5 for that pastel[3] which has worried you so much
[p. 2] Yes I do know of various Scotsmen who would buy 'Sea pieces' & I would go to Scotland with them myself if it was at all possible at the time when you sent them.
Mr Dignam[4] is a very interesting fellow & I shall be very glad to help him. He is to do a drawing for the 'Art Journal' by which he will earn a few shillings. He is doing some for 'The Studio' & I have sent him to Pall Mall Magazine[,] St James Budget &c &c. I shall look after him until he is on his legs a bit. It is very pleasant to be able to do so for you
[p. 3] I was one of the guests at the Lord Mayors banquet & enjoyed it very well. I fear I am too bourgeois to want the Lord Mayor abolished. Horsley[5] was inaudible at twenty yards off for no one paid him any attention. Linton[6] was really too inane for any thing. Sir Edwin Arnold[7] was the only one who spoke intelligently
It was odd to see Geo. Bernard Shaw[8] the Socialist drinking the loving cup. I sat behind an Alderman who gave me all the city tips. Near me was Spielmann[9][,] Briton Riviere[10], Phil Morris[11], & some Scottish painters. J. M. Swan[12] was there also, but none of the New English Club[13] as far as I could see. There were 150 "art" men, 100 literature - & 50 City swells.
The Academy[14] Soiree was the Tuesday before & I partook of the Strawberries & cream without compunction. Sir F. L.[15] was as cold as ice in his bow to me. The Imperial Institute Soiree was the day before the Mayors fête so I had plenty of it that week.
Yours vy truly
pp [stamped:] BOUSSOD VALADON & CO.
D C Thomson
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. David Croal Thomson
David Croal Thomson (1855-1930), art dealer [more]. This is a reply to JW's letter of [11 July 1893], #08251.
2. Album
A selection of photographs of oil paintings, published by Goupil's, mostly those exhibited at Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces, Boussod, Valadon & Cie, Goupil Gallery, London, 1892. JW signed the deluxe sets with his name and butterfly signature.
3. pastel
Possibly Venice (M.824). A pastel is also mentioned in #08251.
4. Mr Dignam
Michael J. Hoey Dignam (fl. 1893), illustrator [more]; see JW's letter to Thomson, 6 July 1893, #08242. A decorative drawing by 'Michael Dignam' of a man and woman looking from a balcony over the sea , called Sunset, was reproduced in the Art Journal, December 1894, p. 352.
5. Horsley
John Calcott Horsley (1817-1903), historical genre painter and etcher [more].
6. Linton
Sir James Dromgole Linton (1840-1916), genre and watercolour painter [more].
7. Sir Edwin Arnold
Sir Edwin Arnold (1832-1904), writer[more].
8. Geo. Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), dramatist [more].
9. Spielmann
Marion Henry Alexander Spielmann (1858-1948), journalist and writer on art [more].
10. Briton Riviere
Briton Riviere (or Rivière) (1840-1920), genre and animal painter [more].
11. Phil Morris
Philip Richard Morris (1833 or 1836-1902), painter [more].
12. J. M. Swan
John Macallan Swan (1847-1908), animal painter and sculptor [more].
13. New English Club
The New English Art Club, founded in 1886.
14. Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts.
15. Sir F. L.
Frederic Leighton (1830-1896), painter and sculptor [more].