Document associated with: [Exhibition of etchings], Art Institute of Chicago, 1891
Record 1 of 1
System Number: 03995
Date: 20 November 1891
Author: Howard Mansfield[1]
Place: New York
Recipient: JW
Place: [London]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler M266
Document Type: ALS
21 West 36th Street.
Nov. 20. 1891.
Dear Mr. Whistler;
The impression you showed me of "Pierrot[2]" is so fine - finer decidedly than the one I have - that I feel that I must have it. The fact that it is your favorite among the Amsterdam[3] plates makes me wish to possess it in its greatest beauty. So I shall regard it as a favor if you will send it to the Fine Art Society to come to me with the new impressions I am to have of the Venice etchings[4]. Or, if you prefer, you may [p. 2] send it to me directly, unregistered, but rolled about a wooden roller. Otherwise it would very likely be damaged.
I read in the newspapers that Sheridan Ford[5] had been fined and otherwise punished for pirating your writings. The cable message read as if this occurred in London, but as the date was the 26th of October[6], when you said the case was coming on at Antwerp, I inferred that it might have been there. You are to be congratulated on your triumph.
[p. 3] How come on the experiments in lithographing in color? I have my example of your first attempt[7] framed, and shall be greatly interested to learn of the success of what you are undertaking[.] Is this century going out as the last di went, with colors flying as regards prints?
Have you made any plans for Chicago yet? In the way of prints you are to become better know[n] there very soon. During December there is to be a representative exhibition of etchings at the Chicago Art Institute[8], [p. 4] and, on request, I have lent for it my impressions of "The Kitchen[9]", "The Putney Bridge[10]", "The Two Doorways[11]", "The Palace[12]", Brussels, and "The Long House[13]", Amsterdam. And I assume that others have been asked to lend other examples of your etching.
Mrs. Whistler[14] and Miss Phillips[15] [sic] are well, I trust. Pray let me be cordially remembered to them.
Faithfully yours,
Howard Mansfield.
Mr. J. McNeill Whistler.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. Howard Mansfield
Howard Mansfield (1849-1938), New York lawyer, print collector [more].
3. Amsterdam
'Holland set', 1889 (K.402-416) (excat 10).
4. Venice etchings
Mr Whistler's Etchings of Venice, 1880 (the first 'Venice Set') (K. 183-189, 191-195). (excat 5).
5. Sheridan Ford
Sheridan Ford (1860-1922), poet, critic, politician and writer on art [more].
6. 26th of October
The lawsuit to prevent publication of Whistler, James McNeill, The Gentle Art of Making Enemies, ed. Sheridan Ford, Paris, 1890, was held in Antwerp on 16 October 1891, and the verdict was in JW's honour.
7. first attempt
Figure Study in Colors (C.39); more recent colour lithographs included Red House, Paimpol (C.66).
8. Chicago Art Institute
Exhibition of etchings, Art Institute of Chicago, 1891.
9. The Kitchen
The Kitchen (K.24b).
10. The Putney Bridge
Old Putney Bridge (K.178).
11. The Two Doorways
The Two Doorways (K.193).
12. The Palace
Palaces, Brussels (K.361).
13. The Long House
Long House - Dyer's - Amsterdam (K.406).
14. Mrs. Whistler
Beatrix Whistler (1857-1896), née Beatrice Philip, artist [more].
15. Miss Phillips
Ethel Whibley (1861-1920), née Philip, JW's sister-in-law [more].