System Number: 09346
Date: [13 September 1894?][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: Alfred Atmore Pope[2]
Place: Paris
Repository: Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, CT
Document Type: ALS
110. Rue de Bac - Paris -
My dear Mr Pope -
I have thought that I should like if you don't mind to have absolutely the facts about your purchase of the "Blue Wave[3]" - and it did not occur to me last night in the midst of our pleasant talk to ask you - That is I took for granted that you paid through Thomson[4] a thousand [p. 2] for the picture - Now was it one thousand pounds? or one thousand guineas? - I don't see why this should not belong to "history" - and I don't see why Thomson should be helped in wrapping up Mr Potter[5] in mystery - and all that - Do you? -
Do go and see Thomson - and mind you tell him you have got the "Violet and Blue[6]"!. - Ask him to show you the letter I wrote about the Selsea Sands[7] - and tell him about the statement[8] pasted on the back of that picture! - I should much like to have a letter from you before you leave - telling us of your visit to Mr Alexander[9]'s - I would go there, and if the family were away I would ask the house keeper or servants to show you the house and pictures all the same - giving my card[10], and saying that I would be very much disappointed if you were to leave without seeing them -
Again with our kindest regards & best wishes from all of us to you all[11],
Very Sincerely Yrs
J McN Whistler
Mind you make Thomson show you the Peacock Room[12]!
[butterfly signature]
This document is protected by copyright.
Envelope:
ToAlfred A. Pope. Esq -
Hotel Westminster
Rue de la Paix
Notes:
1. [13 September 1894?]
The envelope was sent by hand, so there is no postmark. Dated by references to paintings (see below).
2. Alfred Atmore Pope
Alfred Atmore Pope (1842-1913), manufacturer and collector [more].
3. Blue Wave
Blue and Silver: Blue Wave, Biarritz (YMSM 41).
4. Thomson
David Croal Thomson (1855-1930), art dealer [more].
5. Mr Potter
John Charles Potter (1854-1920), wallpaper manufacturer and collector [more].
6. Violet and Blue
In fact Pope bought Dark Blue and Silver (YMSM 412) for £420 on 12 September 1894; Violet and Blue: Among the Rollers (YMSM 413) was bought by Martin Brimmer (Violet and Blue: Among the Rollers (YMSM 413) and Study of the Sea from a Boat (YMSM 517) are the same painting).
7. Selsea Sands
The Selsey Shore (YMSM 200).
9. Mr Alexander
'Mr Alexander's ... servants to' is written in the left margin of p. 1; 'show you ... Whistler' in the left margin at the top left corner of p. 1; and the postscript in the right margin of p. 1, all at right angles to the main text. William Cleverly Alexander (1840-1916), banker and patron [more], owned several paintings including Harmony in Grey and Green: Miss Cicely Alexander (YMSM 129), and Pope did indeed visit the house and was deeply impressed.
11. all of us to you all
JW, Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more], Pope, his wife and daughter, Theodate.
12. Peacock Room
Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room (YMSM 178); the Popes were able to visit it.