System Number: 09504
Date: [20/27 June 1863][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Carel Vosmaer[2]
Place: The Hague
Repository: Private Collection
Call Number: Vosmaer 248-264
Document Type: ALS
'James Whistler[3]'
7 Lindsey Row
Battersea bridge,
Chelsea London
Cher Monsieur,
Je regrette avoir été absent au moment de l'arrivée de votre lettre que je viens de recevoir - et je crains que mon silence a du vous paraitre bien étrange - J'ai été en voyage[4] et a mon retour aujordhui je trouve vos deux lettres[5] qui m'ont fait un grand plaisir comme vous pourez bien vous l'imaginer - et je sens que[6] j'ai à vous remercier [p. 2] non seulement de votre gracieuseté en me prevenant de mon succes[7] si flatteur, mais aussi de l'appui que je suis sur avoir obtenu de vous aupres du Jury - Du reste j'espere pouvoir mieux vous dire tout ceci à ma prochaine visite a la Haye, car d'ici un mois je me promets de revoir[8] la Hollande - Maintenant, pour les eauxfortes[9], au lieu de me les renvoyer, veuillez les envoyer à Bruxelles[10] pour l'Exposition qui doit ouvrir presque immediatement - et soyez assez charmant pour [p. 3] voir qu'elles arrive à temps - Quant à l'amateur[11], le monsieur dont vous me parlez, je lui enverrai bien les deux épreuves apres l'exposition de Bruxelles, mais je ne pourrais pas oter de leurs cadres avant, car je veux que tout la douzaine entière y soit - Le prix et deux guinées chaque - (50 francs) un prix qui peut vous paraitre élevé, mais j'imprime toutes mes eaux fortes ou pointe seches moi même, et ne les vend que par epreuve - Recevez encore cher Monsieur milles remercie-[p. 4]ments pour toutes vos amabilités et pardonnez moi je vous en prie pour le peu de discretion que j'ai montré en vous chargeant de ces commissions -
Vous savez que lorsque je vous verrez j'apporterai avec moi une collection entiere de mes planches dans laquelle vous serez forcé de choisir celles qui vous plairont, car vous m'avez promis d'en accepter -
Adieu cher Monsieur
tout à vous
James Whistler
Veuillez bien me donner votre adresse car je l'ai oublié -
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
Dear Sir,
I regret that I was away when your letter arived, which I have just received - and I fear that my silence must have seemed very strange to you - I was travelling and on my return today I found your two letters which gave me great pleasure as you can well imagine - and I feel that I have to thank you [p. 2] not only for your graciousness in informing me of my flattering success but also for the support that I am sure was obtained by you from the Jury - Furthermore I hope to be able to tell you all this more effectively on my next visit to the Hague, because in a month's time I have promised myself to see Holland again. Now, as for the etchings, instead of sending them back to me, would you be so kind as to send them to Brussels for the Exhibition which is due to open almost immediately - and be so good as to [p. 3] see that they arrive in time - As for the amateur, the gentleman you mention, I shall certainly send him the two proofs after the Brussels exhibition, but I will not be able to remove their frames beforehand, because I want all twelve to be there - The price is two guineas each (50 francs) a price which may seem high to you, but I print all my etchings or metal point works myself, and only sell them as proofs - A thousand thanks [p. 4] dear Sir for all your kindness and please forgive me for my lack of discretion in asking you to undertake these commissions -
Remember that when I see you I am bringing a whole collection of my plates from which you must choose what you like because you have promised to accept some -
Goodbye dear Sir
Yours
James Whistler
Please give me your address, which I have forgotten -
Notes:
1. 20/27 June 1863
This letter is likely to date from JW's return to London from Paris in late June; see below.
2. Carel Vosmaer
Carel Vosmaer (1826-1888), etcher and writer on art [more].
3. James Whistler
Written in a different hand.
4. en voyage
Probably to Paris, in mid June, to see the Salon des Refusés; JW was staying at 20 rue Lafitte on 16 June (#09216).
5. lettres
Not traced; JW can be expected to have wished to reply to Vosmaer's news immediately on opening the letters.
6. sens que
'sens que' is corrected from 'suis aussi sensible'.
7. succes
i.e. the award of a gold medal for his etchings, exhibited in Tentoonstelling van Kunstwerken van Levende Meesters, Hague School of Art, Princessegracht, 1863.
8. revoir
JW was back in Amsterdam in August; he stayed during 8-15 August at the Hotel des Pays Bas, Doelenstraat (#00159).
9. eauxfortes
Twelve Etchings from Nature, 1858 (the 'French Set', K.9-11, 13-17, 19, 21, 22, 24). (excat 3).
10. Bruxelles
Nothing seems to have come of JW's request to have the etchings exhibited in Brussels.
11. l'amateur
Not identified.