Documents associated with: Mr Whistler's Lithographs, The Fine Art Society, London, 1895
Record 2 of 84
System Number: 01281
Date: 30 August 1894
Author: Ernest George Brown[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler F213
Document Type: ALS
BY SPECIAL APPOINTMENT / TO H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES
[royal coat of arms]
FIRST SPECIAL AWARD
SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. 1879
MELBOURNE. 1880
DIPLOMA OF HONOUR / VIENNA. 1883
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS: "FINART, LONDON."
THE FINE ART SOCIETY, / LIMD.
143, NEW BOND ST. / W.
Aug 30th. 1894
Dear Mr. Whistler,
As Mr. Huish[2] was here for a few hours before going up to Scotland we looked at the lithographs together and he asked me to write to you about them.
I think they are most beautiful and dainty things, quite as beautiful as the etching only in another way. You have indeed "laid a new egg". If we can only turn the public head that way there ought to be a large demand. [p. 2] What we would be willing to do is this - We have selected fifteen of them which we would purchase provided you would allow us to keep the others in a portfolio. The fifteen we would have framed in white enamelled frames and exhibit[.] Of course this would be no good unless we could get more at the same price, and at once, because we would advertise them and should not part with with the ones on the walls but take orders from them. I think if you declared a certain number of each it would greatly help the sale. When one was sold out and people could not get it[,] it would make them anxious to have the others.
The numbers we have chosen are:- [p. 3] 1. 2. 4. 5. 7. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. 20. 21. 22. 25. 31.
Of course until a little later on the sale would not be large but we would like to be prepared.
I hope you will be able to let us have the remainder of the etchings[3] soon.
Yours very truly
Ernest G. Brown
J. McN. Whistler Esq
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Ernest George Brown
Ernest George Brown (1853 or 1854-1915), assistant manager at the Fine Art Society [more].
2. Mr. Huish
Marcus Bourne Huish (1843 - d.1921), barrister, writer and art dealer, Director of the Fine Art Society [more]. In an earlier letter dated 15 June (#01271), Huish had asked for some lithographs: 'I have no doubt we could sell some.' The list sent by JW included The Draped Figure, Seated (C.72), Rue Furstenburg (C.97) and Confidences in the Garden (C.100). In December 1895, JW's landmark lithograph exhibition took place at the Fine Art Society (Mr Whistler's Lithographs, The Fine Art Society, London, 1895).
3. etchings
Etchings from (Mr Whistler's Etchings of Venice, 1880 (the first 'Venice Set') (K. 183-189, 191-195). (excat 5)). JW had recently printed proofs of The Doorway (K.188) and The Beggars (K.194), etchings (see JW to M. B. Huish, #01274).