System Number: 11256
Date: [December 1886?][1]
Author: JW
Place: [London]
Recipient: Charles Dowdeswell[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Published
Document Type: PLfc[3]
[...] It is settled that the exhibition of the President's work[4] takes place in March, therefore though we have plenty of time we must be up and doing.
I am sure we can and we certainly ought to make a superb success.
What I meant you to understand, is, that I intend to offer the copyright of the picture of the Lady Archibald Campbell[5] to the trade for engraving, and that I came to you first that you might have the first chance, but if you do not think you would be likely to entertain the question, do let me know that I may propose it to the others.
I rather fancy from what you hinted at the other day that it may be the intention of either yourself or your brother[6] to answer the foolish little article you showed me in the Artist.[7]
Let me, while thanking you for your warm feeling, beseech you to do nothing of the kind. [...]
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [December 1886?]
Dated by references to JW as President of the Society of British Artists, a post he took up in December 1886 and resigned in 1888.
2. Charles Dowdeswell
Charles Dowdeswell (m. 1897), art dealer, son of C. W. Dowdeswell [more]. For a draft version of this letter see #00860.
3. exhibition of the President's work
An exhibition of JW's work at the SBA first planned for February or March 1887 (see #08712) was postponed to 1888 and then cancelled.
4. picture of the Lady Archibald Campbell
Janey Sevilla Campbell (ca 1846 - d.1923), née Callander, Lady Archibald Campbell [more]. She posed for Arrangement in Black: La Dame au brodequin jaune - Portrait of Lady Archibald Campbell (YMSM 242).
5. PLfc
The original letter has not been located. This extract was published in Maggs sale catalogue no. 525, London, 1929 (cat. no. 1922).
6. brother
Walter Dowdeswell (1858-1929), art dealer [more].
7. Artist.
Artist, an art periodical; see JW's letters to Dowdeswell, #00860, #08657.