System Number: 07203
Date: 26 October 1892
Author: Edward Guthrie Kennedy[1]
Place: New York
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler W1191
Document Type: ALS
[scroll:] H. WUNDERLICH & CO.
H W & CO.
RARE PRINTS
868 B'WAY N- Y-
Oct. 26 / 92
Dear Mr Whistler
Your letter of — from rue de [sic] Bac, reached me in due time. I shall reply more fully by next mail as you can very well conceive that my time is fully occupied at this season of the year, and it is now late, so I have but a short time for the mail.
By the way you say nothing about the jardin portrait[2] of me. Why so bashful about this great work? You say in a general way that you are having trouble with your etchings, but do not say anything about the great dry point! I should like to see a rough impression and hope you will gratify me in this. I think you misapprehend me as to the "Sea and Sand[3]". I have no feeling whatever about the disposition of the "Sea and Sand". I was informed that the picture was at Durand-Ruels[4] here [p. 2] and I felt annoyed, humiliated and angry to be put upon in that way. That is have my pictures sent to the very party who had the picture which I gave you, and which I understood had come in the same box! How would you have felt? Would you not have felt angry and indignant? I do feel that if any here on this side has the picture or is to have it, I am the one.
Believe me that I have no feeling outside of this. In short, if the picture is to come here, I should have it. I do not want it just now however, for reasons which I shall give you later.
I was told by a lady that she saw this picture (Sea & Sand) at Durand-Ruels and that she heard that Martin Ryerson[5] of Chicago had bought it.
Do Now I I infer from your letter that the picture is in Paris yet and not here? Is this so?
Be sure that if you sold the picture no one would be more pleased than I [p. 3] and my sole grievance is as stated. I have no small jealousies, but if the "Sea and Sand" is on American soil I think I ought to have it.
Also, what I want from you is not one or two pastels, but enough of fresh things to make an exhibition. That is the time to show the pictures and scatter the unbelievers and I want that if I can have it by March.
Can it not be done?
I am greatly pleased that the "Falling rocket[6]" is sold. If you give me Mr. Untermeyer's[7] initials I can tell you what & who he is.
I shall write you about the pictures for the exhibition next week & what Mr. Halsey[8] says. &c.
About the boxing. I paid Durand Ruel the enormous figure of 45 francs for a ricketty [sic] old box. Richards[9] charges 40 /- for a box I have never had and [p. 4] have not seen! Also 1 /10 /- for looking at the Balcony[10] and 4 /- /- or 5 /- /- for cleaning "Sea and Sand"!!
I have frames made for the three pictures which I have put away in my house, having the frames here. Don't forget the "Nocturne Riva[11]" and the "Nocturne Palaces[12]". I hope to hear from you after the receipt of my next letter.
Yours very truly
E. G. Kennedy.
Nothing now but election[13], election, election.
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. jardin portrait
JW had started a drypoint portrait of Kennedy in the garden at 110 rue du Bac, but did not complete it.
3. Sea and Sand
Harmony in Blue and Silver: Trouville (YMSM 64). See also #07204.
4. Durand-Ruels
Dealer in Paris and New York.
5. Martin Ryerson
Martin Antoine Ryerson (1856-1932), businessman, philanthropist and collector [more].
6. Falling rocket
Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket (YMSM 170).
7. Mr. Untermeyer's
A misspelling of Samuel Untermyer (1858-1940), lawyer, capitalist and philanthropist [more].
8. Mr. Halsey
Halsey Cooley Ives (1847-1911), painter [more]. He was organising loans to World's Columbian Exposition, Department of Fine Arts, Chicago, 1893.
9. Richards
Stephen Richards (b. ca 1845), picture restorer [more].
10. Balcony
Variations in Flesh Colour and Green: The Balcony (YMSM 56).
11. Nocturne Riva
[Nocturne (K.184)?].
12. Nocturne Palaces
Nocturne: Palaces (K.202).
13. election
The 1892 election campaign was dominated by the issue of tariffs - with Grover Cleveland running against the increase in tariffs that Benjamin Harrison had brought about. The populist candidate James B. Weaver received strong support for his position promoting the minting of silver. Cleveland won the election, but Weaver won 22 electoral votes - the only third party candidate between 1860 and 1912 to carry a single state.