System Number: 10722
Date: [2 April 1896][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Stephen Richards[2]
Place: London
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 2/44/12
Document Type: ALS
[Savoy coat of arms:] SAVOY HOTEL
SAVOY HOTEL,
VICTORIA EMBANKMENT,
LONDON.
Wednesday night
Mr. Richards -
If you are able tomorrow morning, when you get this, the first thing I wish you would go to Mr. Arthur Studds[3] 97 Cheyne Walk - Chelsea -
I want you to take with you the materials for varnishing a picture of mine that is hanging in his drawing room -
You doubtless will remember it - having varnished it a few years ago at the time of [p. 2] the Exhibition at Messrs. Goupil[4] in the old Bond Street rooms - a Nocturne, "The Firewheel"[5]. -
The picture has just come back from America - and though perfectly clean - I washed it myself this afternoon - is in a very dull state - The varnish is quite chilled, and much sunken in -
It is quite ready to have another coat of varnish - your very best! - So give a thin coat tomorrow morning - This will go perfectly, [illegible] and you will have got again the beautiful enamel surface that you know I so greatly admire -
You had better give the picture a gentle rub, with your [p. 3] chamois leather first - However you know what to do - Only I want you to make a beautiful job of this - If you do, Mr. Studd, to whom I have already spoken, will, I am sure, have you down in future to take care of his pictures -
Mr. Studd leaves town after 2. o'clock in the afternoon. Therefore you had better get down there at once
J McN. Whistler
Write me a line to say that its all right -
The stretcher wants a little seeing to - There is a [illegible] cockle in the left hand top corner - Look [p. 4] if there be any nail or tack fallen down between the wood and the picture - and remove with the greatest care[6].
Mind - no cleaning - nothing to be done this time but the thin coat of varnish.
This document is protected by copyright.
Envelope:
ToMr. Stephen Richards
4. Berners Street,
Oxford Street -
[stamp x 2:] POSTAGE AND INLAND REVENUE / ONE HALF PENNY
[postmark:] LONDON. W. C. / L 7 / AP 2 / 96
[on verso:] SAVOY HOTEL,
VICTORIA EMBANKMENT,
LONDON.
Notes:
1. [2 April 1896]
Dated from the postmark.
2. Stephen Richards
Stephen Richards (b. ca 1845), picture restorer [more].
3. Mr. Arthur Studds
Arthur ('Peter') Haythorne Studd (1863-1919), painter and collector [more].
4. Messrs. Goupil
Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces, Boussod, Valadon & Cie, Goupil Gallery, London, 1892.
5. The Firewheel
Nocturne: Black and Gold - The Fire Wheel (YMSM 169) had just been bought by Studd.
6. greatest care
Triple underlined.