System Number: 07196
Date: 6 July 1892
Author: Edward Guthrie Kennedy[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler W1184
Document Type: ALS
Confidential
GUSTAV LAUSER[2],
BOOK & PRINTSELLER.
25, GARRICK STREET,
LONDON, W. C.
July 6 1892
Dear Mr Whistler,
Your letter of yesterday[3] came to hand this a.m. also the prints for which please find Cheque Enclosed, as per your memo.
| Kitchen[4] | 6. 6. 0 | 27. 6. 0 | |
| 20 | |||
| Candle factory[5] | 8. 8. 0 | off | 5. 9. 2 |
| Traghetto[6] | 12.12. 0 | £ 21.16.10 |
Now this being settled, I went yesterday, (pouring rain) to The Fine Art Society & saw Mr. Brown[7] of Surbiton, Virginia Water, & Mr. Huish[8][.] There is absolutely no excuse for the prints having been injured, as they were very carefully packed and marked as Huish, Brown & Co. acknowledge. They are trying to get satisfaction out of the P. O. authorities[9] [p. 2] but I don't think they will get any. I could not get anything out of Huish regarding the proofs. I think ice would heat that man, he is so cold-blooded. I am disgusted with these people who are ungrateful and sordid. I wanted six proofs of the "Two doorways[10]", but they would only allow me two, but I fought them & got the six. Brown's excuse was (the ready liar) that a house in New York was negotiating for all the proofs of this plate! It was such a palpable lie that I said flatly, that I did not consider it fair dealing. If he had told me the truth as Huish did, that they could not sell any thing to America except through Mess. Boussod, Valadon & Co. their agents there since July 1st, I should have been satisfied, but as he lied, (Brown), I was determined to have what I wanted & I got it. The whole affair was so cold-blooded [p. 3] that I cannot now think of it with patience.
Brown thought the proofs were fine, & I daresay Mr. Huish does. He was busy writing, so did not pay much attention, except to his writing. I wish I was in Paris so that I could talk instead of write. The etchings arrived, but crushed, as the roller was too weak to withstand pressure in the mail bag. I can repair the damage easily. If you send any again use a wooden roller.
I took two each of the Doorway[11] & Traghetto from the Fine Art Society & will see if I can repair them. I think it can be done. As to the pictures, Richards[12] has [p. 4] them partly under way or weigh. The Westminster[13] will be improved very much by cleaning, as will the "Sea and Sand[14]". When I look at this latter, a feeling of greediness comes over me and I have a pain, but when I think of your revenge on B.[15] (I did not see that letter after all), of "The man in the garden[16]" and the promise (voluntarily made) to paint a head sometime, I have no regrets.
I told Dunthorne[17] about the portrait & he would like some proofs from the description. I told him, that of course they [were] for sale by Mr. Whistler.
The frame for the Westminster is ready & paid for. I told Richards to ship all the pictures to you & insure them. I had only one frame made, as I can make the others in my own shop much cheaper. Also, I told Richards to send the bill for cleaning to you, as I won't be here. If you will see that it is all right, let me have it & I will pay. The pictures won't be ready for ten days yet & then I shall be on the ocean, as I sail on the 13th per "Majestic." I had a rough crossing from Calais[18], but I am now a hardened salt.
I thank you & Mrs. Whistler[19] for your hospitality when in Paris & hope to see you in America next year. I shall be here for this week -
& am with best wishes
yours most truly
E. G. Kennedy.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Edward Guthrie Kennedy
Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932), dealer with H. Wunderlich and Co., New York [more].
2. GUSTAV LAUSER
Gustave Lauser (b. ca 1841), London print-seller [more].
4. Kitchen
The Kitchen (K.24a).
5. Candle factory
Price's Candle Works (K.154).
6. Traghetto
The Traghetto, No.1 (K.190).
7. Mr. Brown
Ernest George Brown (1853 or 1854-1915), assistant manager at the Fine Art Society [more].
8. Mr .Huish
Marcus Bourne Huish (1843 - d.1921), barrister, writer and art dealer, Director of the Fine Art Society [more].
9. P. O. authorities
A package of etchings had been damaged in the post, see #02969.
10. Two doorways
The Two Doorways (K.193).
11. Doorway
The Doorway (K.188).
12. Richards
Stephen Richards (b. ca 1845), picture restorer [more].
13. Westminster
The Last of Old Westminster (YMSM 39).
14. Sea and Sand
Harmony in Blue and Silver: Trouville (YMSM 64).
15. B.
John Chandler Bancroft (1822-1907), politician, diplomat and collector [more]. See #11556.
16. The man in the garden
A portrait etching of Kennedy, later destroyed.
17. Dunthorne
Robert Dunthorne (b. ca 1851), of the Rembrandt Gallery, print dealer and publisher [more].
18. from Calais ... Kennedy.
'From Calais ...' to the end written at the top of p. 3.
19. Mrs. Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].