System Number: 08237
Date: [16 February 1893][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: David Croal Thomson[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC
Document Type: ALS[3]
110. Rue du Bac. Paris.
Dear Sir -
What I of course ought to have written to you about long ago, and what I quite forgot, is the matter of those shocking reproductions of the Gold Screen[4]! - Why, of all the pictures choose that one, so difficult in itself to reproduce at all, so absolutely unfitted in every way [p. 2] as a representative work because of the impossibility of even hinting at its atmosphere on account of the false rendering of its colour in photography and consequent hard black & whiteness! -
Why not take anything else? How did it come about by the way that it was chosen? I don't remember your saying anything to me about it - and what possessed the people to turn it out in the absolutely damnable blues & violets! like the outside of a Spanish plum box or a case of Cuban cigars! gold tipped Colorados!! -
I am much interested in Mr. McColl's[5] article -
Have you sent off to me, direct or through your house, the package or packages of pastels that were sent to you from Chelsea? - I am a little anxious because I have no news of them -
Did you send them perhaps to Joyant[6]? who may have misunderstood, & thought they were for exhibition? and I dont want [p. 3] anyone to see them - Do let me know by return -
With many thanks
Very truly
J McN Whistler
How about the "Sketch[7]"?
[date stamp:] GOUPIL AND COMPANY / 17 FEB. 93 / SUCCESSORS / BOUSSOD VALADON AND CO.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [16 February 1893]
Dated from date stamp on receipt of letter ('17 FEB. 93'), which was probably a day later than the actual day of writing.
2. David Croal Thomson
David Croal Thomson (1855-1930), art dealer [more].
3. ALS
'44B' was written in an unknown hand in red at top left, and '51' in pencil at bottom left of p. 1.
4. Gold Screen
Caprice in Purple and Gold: The Golden Screen (YMSM 60).
5. Mr. McColl's
Dugald Sutherland MacColl (1859-1948), painter and etcher, art critic and writer [more].
6. Joyant
Maurice Joyant (1864-1930), art dealer, manager of Boussod, Valadon et Cie [more].
7. Sketch
Not identified.