System Number: 08246
Date: [10 October 1893][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: David Croal Thomson[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Whistler-Pennell Collection, PWC
Document Type: ALS[3]
110. Rue du Bac. Paris -
Dear Mr Thomson -
Your letter[4] has surprised me to such an extent that I answer it immediately ! -
I am sorry you have been ill - and bed is no place for business! -
The lithographs - not only the beautiful proofs you have now, but all those you have had or are likely [p. 2] to have, are two guineas a piece - until they become four or five!
This price will be in no way affected by the publication of the "Songs on Stone[5]" - whenever that occurs! -
When and where such publication takes place you will doubtless know in plenty of time - as of course your house will, I should suppose, "handle" some of the sets themselves -
Meanwhile the publication of a "set" - or "series" is - and surely it is not for me to tell you this - a very different business from the buying and selling of proofs from the artist - Besides read Heinemann's[6] announcement again - you read it by the way a year ago -
You see it addressed to subscribers - What has all this to do with your proofs?
In short these lithographs of Mr Whistler's are two guineas a piece - and the two lithographs in colour[7] are three guineas a piece - and Mr Heinemann's issue of "Songs on Stone" is quite a different matter -
And now if you don't feel at ease with your last purchase, send me back the beautiful proofs at once - for I like 'em [p. 3] and am doing at the moment others which you need not be at all afraid of my thrusting upon you. "See?" as they say in America! -
Voila -
I hope you are all right again - I have had a letter[8] from the Art Editor[9] of the "Pall Mall Magazine" - but I can't make out his name - who is he? do write me a line and tell me - I think his letter quite funny - There is a jaunty innocence about the way in which he says "an etched plate is what I want"!! - I sent out for a copy of the Magazine itself - shocking!!! -
[butterfly signature]
| '14.[10] | 14. |
| 2. | 4 |
| 12. | 10 |
| 1. | 9 |
| 14 | 14 |
| 3' |
[date stamp:] GOUPIL & COMPANY
11 OCT. 93
SUCCESSORS / BOUSSOD VALADON & CO.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [10 October 1893]
Dated one day earlier than the date on the receipt stamp.
2. David Croal Thomson
David Croal Thomson (1855-1930), art dealer [more].
3. ALS
'54' is written in another hand in red ink at top left, '74' in pencil at bottom right of p. 1. The sum beginning '14. 14.', in Thomson's hand is in the top left of p. 1. Thomson has also written across the top of p. 3: 'list Yellow House Fruit Market [illegible] [two illegible words]'.
4. letter
Not located.
5. Songs on Stone
A series of lithographs, Songs on Stone (excat 19), was planned by Heinemann and JW during the latter part of 1891. Their intention seems to have been to publish a series of four plates in Britain and America in periodic parts. Heinemann hoped to publish the first part early in 1892. See W. Heinemann to JW, 24 December 1891, #02083. However, the project was never completed and seems to have been abandoned by the spring of 1894 (see W. Heinemann to JW, #02086).
6. Heinemann's
William Heinemann (1863-1920), publisher [more].
7. lithographs in colour
JW had made a colour lithograph (Figure Study in Colors (C.39)) with Thomas Way in 1890, and was working on colour lithographs with Henri Belfond (fl. 1891-1894), lithographic printer [more], from 1891 until 1893 (Nude Model, Back View (C.45), Draped Figure, Standing (C.46), Lady and Child (C.55), Draped Figure, Reclining (C.56), Red House, Paimpol (C.66), Yellow House, Lannion (C.67)).
8. letter
Not located.
9. Art Editor
Possibly George Somes Layard (1857-1935), journalist at the Pall Mall Gazette [more].
10. 14.
The jotted figures, and the date stamp below, appear in the left margin of page one.