Documents associated with: [Exhibition of watercolours, pastels and etchings belonging to C. L. Freer], Grolier Club, New York, 1890
Record 2 of 2
System Number: 01501
Date: 28 April 1890
Author: Charles Lang Freer[1]
Place: Detroit
Recipient: JW
Place: London
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler F433
Document Type: ALS
PENINSULAR CAR CO.
DETROIT, MICH.
April 28th 1890
My dear Mr. Whistler.
An evening or two ago my business partner and particular friend Mr. Frank J. Hecker[2], of this City, spent several hours at my home enjoying my portfolios of your work. Many of them he had seen before, but the Amsterdam plates were of course new to him. They completely [p. 2] charmed him and he requested me to if possible, secure copies for him of all those I have - viz:-
Guineas
• 1 Pierrot[3] 15
• 2 Long House[4] (The Dyers) 12
• 3 Zaandam[5] 10.
• 4 Steps[6] - 12.
• 5 The Mill[7] 12
• 6 The Square House[8] 12
• 7 The Dance House[9] (Nocturne) 15
• 8 The Balcony[10] 15
• 9 The Little Drawbridge[11] 10
• 10 The Bridge[12] 12
During our recent conversation you will perhaps remember that I expressed a desire hereafter to purchase your work direct from yourself - To this you [p. 3] kindly assented - Such an arrangement should be mutually advantageous -
Now then, will you be good enough to send me the ten prints herein before named by book post - they will come through safely if put between heavy card boards - and addressed -
Mr. Charles L. Freer.
77 Alfred St.
Detroit.
Michigan.
U. S. A.
By the way, I have just received word from N. Y. of the arrival there of another new etching by you entitled "The Lace Curtain[13]" will you be so kind as to send me one; choosing a good impression and writing my name on the back - also kindly send proofs for me of any more new plates you may have made since I was at [p. 4] your studio - I presume Mr Mansfield[14] has written you about the charming Exhibition[15] of your work recently made at the Grolier Club[16] in New York - All ten of the plates prints herein named were shown - Also that delightful pastel[17] which you kindly let me have - Many N. Y. artists attended the exhibition and were particularly delighted with your latest work -
With cordial greetings to Mrs. Whistler[18], I remain
Sincerely yours
Charles L. Freer.
P. S. Kindly send me bill for etchings as soon as forwarded and I will at once remit draft on London -
This document is protected by copyright.
Envelope:
PENINSULAR CAR CO.DETROIT, MICH.
Mr. James McNeill Whistler.
Tower House
Tite St -
Chelsea,
London,
England -
[stamp:] UNITED STATES POSTAGE / ONE CENT
[stamp:] UNITED STATES POSTAGE / 4 / FOUR CENTS / 4
[postmark:] DETROIT - [MI]CH / APR29 / 12 M / 90
[postmark on verso:] NEW Y[ORK] / APR30 / [90?]
[postmark on verso:] CHELSEA. S. O. / S. W. / MY [...] / [90]
Notes:
1. Charles Lang Freer
Charles Lang Freer (1856-1919), industrialist, collector and founder of the Freer Gallery of Art [more]. Published in Merrill, Linda, With Kindest Regards. The Correspondence of Charles Lang Freer and James McNeill Whistler, 1890-1903, Washington and London, 1995, no. 2, pp. 67-69.
2. Mr. Frank J. Hecker
Col. Frank J. Hecker (1846-1927), partner of C. L. Freer, Michigan and Peninsular Car Company [more].
4. Long House
Long House - Dyer's - Amsterdam (K.406).
6. Steps
Steps, Amsterdam (K.403).
8. The Square House
Square House, Amsterdam (K.404).
9. The Dance House
Nocturne: Dance House (K.408).
10. The Balcony
Balcony, Amsterdam (K.405).
11. The Little Drawbridge
Little Drawbridge, Amsterdam (K.412).
12. The Bridge
Bridge, Amsterdam (K.409).
13. The Lace Curtain
The Embroidered Curtain (K.410).
14. Mr Mansfield
Howard Mansfield (1849-1938), New York lawyer, print collector [more].
15. Exhibition
[Exhibition of watercolours, pastels and etchings belonging to C. L. Freer], Grolier Club, New York, 1890.
16. Grolier Club
A club for printmakers and connoisseurs, which held - and still holds - important exhibitions of prints.
17. pastel
Harmony in Blue and Violet (M.1076).
18. Mrs. Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].