Documents associated with: printing
Record 1 of 61
System Number: 09087
Date: [March/April 1871][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Frederick Standridge Ellis[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: New York University, New York
Call Number: Elmer Holmes Bobst Library, Fales Library, Foles 64.6.3.3.3708
Document Type: ALS
Speke Hall[3] -
nr. Liverpool
My dear Mr Ellis -
I am very much troubled to think of all the anxiety I have caused you and Mr. Brooker[4] about those two plates[5] - and wish enough they were safely with you where they ought to have been all this time - But now wont it be all right when I return to town? I am at work down here at Mr. Leylands[6] and have carefully put away the [p. 2] plates, under lock and key I think, at home - so that no one can get at them - but in any case my brother [7] who happily is here also on a visit returns at the end of the week or in a day or two and I will give him the key and he will see that you have the plates - Really I have had the best intentions with regard to them - but had had so many and such continuous interruptions - that I have never been able to call on you or [p. 3] see to the printing or anything else - Moreover I quite felt that they were too late for last season [8]and surely you dont intend to bring them out before next - and in that case I will yet on my return do all that I can to be useful in the matter - Believe me with sincerest regrets for all my shortcomings in this affair.
Very faithfully yours
J A McN Whistler
Pray write me a line to this address to say that it is all right - Edwards[9] undertook [p. 4] messages of contrition from me to you long ago - I hope that at least he was less neglectful than myself and delivered them -
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Notes:
1. [March/April 1871]
Dated from relationship to other correspondence with Frederick Standridge Ellis (1830-1901), author, publisher and book-seller [more], including another letter from Speke Hall (#09086).
2. Frederick Standridge Ellis
Frederick Standridge Ellis (1830-1901), author, publisher and book-seller [more].
3. Speke Hall
The home of Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892), ship-owner and art collector [more].
4. Mr Brooker
Brooker, unidentified.
5. two plates
This may refer to the last plates for JW's 'Thames Set', published as A Series of Sixteen Etchings of Scenes on the Thames, 1871 (the 'Thames Set') (K.38-44, 46, 52, 66, 68, 71, 74-76, 95) (excat 4) by F. S. Ellis in 1871.
6. Mr. Leylands
Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892), ship-owner and art collector [more].
7. my brother
William McNeill Whistler (1836-1900), physician, JW's brother [more].
8. last season
Possibly the winter of 1870-1871.
9. Edwards
Edwin Edwards (1823-1879), lawyer, painter and etcher [more].