Documents associated with: paper, not specified
Record 9 of 37
System Number: 03791
Date: 5 January 1890
Author: Stéphane Mallarmé[1]
Place: Paris
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler M125
Document Type: ALS[2]
Paris
5 Janvier 1890
Mon cher ami
Quelle merveille! et pourtant, je ne sais si ma joie d'y jeter les yeux, pendue au mur de la petite salle que vous connaissez, ne vient pas, autant de l'attention exquise, vraiment, que de la beauté de votre oeuvre; laquelle ainsi [p. 2] porte à un double[3] titre la signature de Whistler.
Je ne vous oubliais pas; aujourd'hui même nous devions aller visiter la maisonnette du Bois, mais un mot que je reçois de M. Story[4] m'apprend qu'il n'est pas libre le Dimanche, et ce sera pour Mercredi. Vous aurez un mot Jeudi.
Ne rien craindre, le [p. 3] propriétaire prévenu ne traitera pas autre part.
Envoyé à Evans[5], le papier mirifique; oui, vous devenez James MacNeill Buffalo Bill Whistler. Le maître du New-York Herald yachte malheureusement loin de Paris et notre ami commun ne saurait où le rejoindre, trop tard évidemment. Gardons ce journal-là pour saluer [p. 4] votre venue ici.
Votre main déja, et mes compliments de vieil ami, pour l'an qui vient et l'amènera, à Madame Whistler.
Stéphane Mallarmé
89 rue de Rome
This document is protected by copyright.
Translation:
My dear Whistler
How marvellous! and yet, I do not know whether my joy at casting my eye over it, hanging on the wall of the small room which you know, does not come, as much as from the exquisite attention, truly, as from the beauty of your work; which therefore [p. 2] brings a double title to the signature of Whistler.
I did not forget you; today indeed we were to visit the little house in the Bois, but a note I have received from Mr Story tells me that he is not free on Sunday, and it will be for Wednesday. You will have a note on Thursday.
There is nothing to fear, the [p. 3] owner has been advised and will not deal elsewhere.
[I have] sent to Evans, the fabulous paper[6]; yes, you are becoming James MacNeill Buffalo Bill Whistler. The master of the New-York Herald is unfortunately yachting a long way from Paris and our friend in common does not know where to find him, too late evidently. Let us keep that newspaper to mark [p. 4] your arrival here.
My regards and compliments as an old friend, for the new year and what it will bring, to Mrs. Whistler[7].
Stéphane Mallarmé
89 rue de Rome
Notes:
1. Stéphane Mallarmé
Stéphane Mallarmé (1842-1898), Symbolist writer and poet [more].
2. ALS
Published in Barbier, Carl P., ed., Correspondance Mallarmé-Whistler: Histoire de la grande amitié de leurs dernières années, Paris, 1964 [GM, A.28], no. XXV, p. 47.
3. double
The Dancing Girl (C.29). Barbier notes that Mallarmé hung the lithograph in his living room, to the left of the stove.
4. M. Story
Julian Russell Story (1850-1919), genre and portrait painter [more]. He was awarded a third class medal at the Salon de 1889.
5. Evans
[Dr Thomas William (or Wiltberger) Evans (1830-1897), dentist, publisher of the American Register [more]?]
7. Mrs. Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].