UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

System Number: 07231
Date: 20 February 1894
Author: Edward Guthrie Kennedy^[1]
Place: New York
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler W1219
Document Type: ALS

E. G. KENNEDY
G. DIETERLEN

[scroll:] H. WUNDERLICH & CO.
H W & CO.
RARE PRINTS
868 B'WAY N- Y-

Feb. 20th 1894

Dear Mr. Whistler,

Your letters^[2] of the 4th and 9th of Feb. are at hand, also the lithographs. In one of your letters^[3] (replied to by me on the 23rd Jan.) you asked me if you were not correct in sending me two sets of lithographs as they came from the press, and I replied to send me (3) three sets of the lithographs, which you took to mean apparently, three sets of those I already had. I shall keep a lot of those and return those not required by this post.

You did not send the "Wheelwright ^Smithy[4]" which you promised to do & which you make no mention of.

I want that "Wheelwright ^Smithy", and enclose a large memo. so that you won't forget it. It is for one of your admirers & I told him that Mr. Whistler (p. 2)^[5] had promised to send a fine impression. You speak of the high prices paid for your paintings & seem to be disappointed that you have not benefitted by it. But why do you not paint some more?

You are in your prime, and can paint yet surely? Then why not paint some as the years go by? I have asked you to make an exhibition, but you decline to do so, though there is money in sight which you say you require.

You will excuse me writing so plainly I know, as you know it is done in a most friendly spirit. You speak of "Cameo #1^[6]". Now, Mr. Whistler who has bought it? Any Parisians? Have any Parisians bought your pictures? The English & Americans are the picture buyers. Paris may be a good place to live, but that is all. All the French painters look to America for support, and many receive it who don't deserve it I admit, yet all look there for appreciation and shall I [p. 3] say, profit. Cameo #1 at 10 /10 /- is considered high in price, besides people don't care for it. An artist cannot be expected to produce masterpieces every time he paints, or etches, but the public has a right to it's likes and dislikes, as has the individual.

What are you doing or going to do with the Paris etchings^[7]? Can't you finish one or two plates? Or don't you care for them anymore?

Now Mr. Whistler, you listen to me. There are several men here who would buy a Whistler if any way reasonable. The men who can afford to give or are willing to give £1000 /- /- for a picture are very few & must be hit hard. I shall speak to a man I know about the "Cremorne Lights^[8]", and if he wants to look at it with a probable view of purchasing it, I shall ask you to send it over, but as for me buying anything just now, it is out of the question as I really have not got the money. Should you care to do send the picture here at 600 /- /- all right; if you do not (p. 4) wish to, of course there is nothing more to be said. I shall let you know more fully about this by next post. I have concluded to retain the lithographs here until I am sending a box to England, early in the month & then send them in it. I hope this letter will prove to be less "businesslike" than the others I have written to you, and that it will prove to you that you are not "so far away" as you imagine. If you are far away, why not come over. Pennington^[9] is making his fortune.

With best regards to Mrs. Whistler^[10] & yourself, I am,
Yours Sincerely,

E. G. Kennedy.

[p. 5]^[11]

'Febry 20th 1894.

Statement of account

J. McN. Whistler Esqr
London.'

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.  Your letters
#09715 and #09716.

3.  In one of your letters
#09713; Kennedy's reply is #07227.

4.  Smithy
The Smithy (K.240).

5.  (p. 2)
The printed address appears at the top of pp. 1, 2 and 5.

6.  Cameo #1
Cameo No.1 (Mother and Child) (K.347).

7.  Paris etchings
Possibly Balustrade, Luxembourg Gardens (K.427), Bébés, Luxembourg Gardens (K.428), et seq. (K.427-36).

8.  Cremorne Lights
Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Cremorne Lights (YMSM 115).

9.  Pennington
Robert Goodloe Harper Pennington (1854-1920), artist [more].

10.  Mrs. Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].

11.  [p. 5]
This page is written in the hand of a clerk.

12.  23 Lithos
The lithographs are probably: Draped Figure, Standing (C.46), The Novel: Girl Reading (C.32), Gabled Roofs (C.64), The Clock-Makers, Paimpol (C.65), Nude Model, Reclining (C.73) and The Marketplace, Vitré (C.62).