Documents associated with: 21st Autumn Exhibition of Pictures, Corporation of Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, 1891
Record 16 of 21
System Number: 03994
Date: 16 October 1891
Author: Howard Mansfield[1]
Place: New York
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler M265
Document Type: ALS
LAW OFFICE OF HOWARD MANSFIELD.
35 WALL STREET (MILLS BUILDING),
NEW YORK,
Oct. 16th, 1891.
My dear Mr. Whistler;
I have called at the office of Mr. Fredk. W. Whittridge[2], but learn that he is out of the country. Whether in England or on the Continent I cannot say. His address, however, is care of Messrs. Brown, Shipley & Co.[3], London. I am sorry that I cannot be of more service to you in obtaining an affidavit from him, or at least finding out if he is the man whose affidavit you want.
It may interest you to know that I visited Speke Hall[4] just before sailing, and took the walk to the shore, and on the way back discovered, as I think, the point from which you made the etching[5] of the house.
And at Liverpool I saw the exhibition[6] and was glad of the chance to see "The Fur Jacket[7]" again. But what a collection of horrors the exhibition is for the most part, and how well your hanging shows them up!
You are all of you well, I trust. Pray let me be cordially remembered to Mrs. Whistler[8] and Miss Phillips[9] [sic].
Faithfully yours,
Howard Mansfield,
To Mr. J. McNeill Whistler.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Howard Mansfield
Howard Mansfield (1849-1938), New York lawyer, print collector [more].
2. Mr. Fredk. W. Whittridge
Frederick W. Whittridge, an acquaintance or associate of Sheridan Ford. He was apparently involved in some way with Sheridan Ford (1860-1922), poet, critic, politician and writer on art [more], either in persuading JW to do a lecture tour, or in the publication of Whistler, James McNeill, The Gentle Art of Making Enemies, ed. Sheridan Ford, Paris, 1890.
3. Messrs. Brown, Shipley & Co.
Described in the Post Office Directory of 1881 as 'General Merchants', at Founders' Court, Lothbury, London EC.
4. Speke Hall
Speke Hall was built by the Norris family and is an almost perfect example of half-timbered architecture, constructed around a square courtyard and originally moated, and dating from 1490-1626. Richard Watt, a Liverpool merchant, bought the Speke Estate in 1795 from the Norris family. JW had visited it several times when it was owned by Frederick Richards Leyland (1832-1892), ship-owner and art collector [more], and made several etchings there, as well as paintings and drawings of the Leylands.
5. etching
Speke Shore (K.144).
6. exhibition
21st Autumn Exhibition of Pictures, Corporation of Liverpool, Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool, 1891.
7. The Fur Jacket
Arrangement in Black and Brown: The Fur Jacket (YMSM 181).
8. Mrs. Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].
9. Miss Phillips
Ethel Whibley (1861-1920), née Philip, JW's sister-in-law [more].