Documents associated with: Mr Whistler's Lithographs, The Fine Art Society, London, 1895
Record 39 of 84
System Number: 01313
Date: 19 November 1895
Author: Marcus Bourne Huish[1]
Place: London
Recipient: JW
Place: [Lyme Regis]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler F245
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.
148, NEW BOND ST. W.
Nov 19th 1895.
Dear Mr Whistler
I have this morning received from your Solicitors[2] a copy of the agreement for signature - They have however altered the clause with regard to the commission to the trade from 25% to 15%. which is material.
It matters to us only in this that it will [p. 2] practically stop the sale to the trade, but as we get nothing out of it I make no point of it, save that I think that in your own interests, if you wish to push the sale, it is a mistake.
What is more material is the increase in the selling price - I feel sure that this is too high - of course it is to our interests to get as high a price as possible consistently with selling them - I hope therefore that you will agree to retain them at the original figures.
We want to run the sales [p. 3] into thousands so you must give us the chance of doing this. I need hardly reiterate the argument about the prices which others will charge, & the difficulty we shall have in convincing people that the proof is worth a hundred times that of the print.
But these are reasons against an augmentation of the price at this moment. To maintain as they say the status quo [rate?] is about as much as we can hope for - Let me know as to this
Agreements
Your solicitors ask for an [p. 4] appointment to exchange agreements & pay me the money - surely there is no need for them to put you to this expense - nor does it tally with your instructions about paying the check into Drummonds[3] -
Failly yours
Marcus B Huish
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Notes:
1. Marcus Bourne Huish
Marcus Bourne Huish (1843 - d.1921), barrister, writer and art dealer, Director of the Fine Art Society [more].
2. Solicitors
William Webb (b. ca 1851), of G. and W. Webb, lawyer [more]. The legal agreement between JW and the Fine Art Society over his forthcoming exhibition Mr Whistler's Lithographs, The Fine Art Society, London, 1895 was finalised by 22 November 1895. See G. & W. Webb to JW, #06225.
3. Drummonds
George James Drummond (1835-1917), banker [more].