System Number: 09216
Date: 16 June [1863][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Alfred Emilien O'Hara, Comte de Nieuwerkerke [2]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Archives des musées nationaux, Paris
Call Number: P30-Whistler
Document Type: ALS
[Date stamp:] '[illegible] / 20 JUIN / [1863?]'
'fait le 18 juin'[3]
Paris
le 16 Juin
Monsieur le Comte -
On m'a fait savoir à Londres que quelques eaux fortes exposées par moi içi au Salon[4], vous ont beaucoup plu - et que l'accueil qu'elles m'ont procuré en France est du en grand [sic] partie à vos eloges -
On m'a dit aussi que vous possediez de mes eaux fortes - Je suis [sic] que dans ce cas là, ce sont de mauvaises epreuves dont je n'ai pas connaissance -
Je vous apporte quelques epreuves tirées par moi même et choisies dans la serie de la Tamise[5] - Veuillez les acceptez avec mes remerciements et
Agreez Monsieur le Comte, l'expression
de ma consideration la plus distinguée -
James Whistler -
Rue Lafitte 20
'1863 16 Juin'
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
Paris
June 16th
Count -
I was informed in London that some etchings exhibited by me here at the Salon, pleased you very much - and that the welcome they have won for me in Paris is due in great part to your praise -
I was also told that you possessed some of my etchings - I know that in that case, they are bad proofs that I know nothing about -
I am bringing you several prints made by myself and chosen from the Thames series. Please accept them with my thanks and
Believe me, Monsieur le Comte, yours most truly -
James Whistler -
Notes:
1. 16 June [1863]
Dated from the reply (see below).
2. Alfred Emilien O'Hara
Alfred Emilien O'Hara (1811-1892), Comte de Nieuwerkerke, sculptor, Directeur-General des Musées [more]. His reply is dated 18 June 1863 (#02644).
3. fait le 18 juin
The date is written in another hand at the top, and repeated at the bottom of the page.
4. Salon
JW exhibited three etchings at the 1863 Salon, 81st exhibition, Ouvrages de peinture, sculpture, architecture, gravure et lithographie des artistes vivants, Palais des Champs Elysées, Paris, 1863, nos 2756-58. This had opened on 1 May, and it was in fact Fantin, rather than anyone in London, who told JW that Nieuwerkerke liked the etchings; see his letter of 1 May, #01079.
5. serie de la Tamise
A Series of Sixteen Etchings of Scenes on the Thames, 1871 (the 'Thames Set') (K.38-44, 46, 52, 66, 68, 71, 74-76, 95) (excat 4), was started in 1859 and published in 1871.