UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

System Number: 05008
Date: 1 May 1892
Author: John Charles Potter^[1]
Place: Darwen
Recipient: JW
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler P648
Document Type: ALS

Ap^May . 2¹ - 1892 -

EARNSDALE,
DARWEN,
LANCASHIRE.

My dear Whistler

You wrote asking me to send the Symphony in blue & gold^[2] & the Chelsea - Wharf^[3], to Munich^[4] and that I was willing and glad to do, both for our own sake, & your [p. 2] future renown - but I certainly hesitate to send so far, your more important pictures which we have.

I received a most polite letter from Mr Carl Narr^[5], asking for the White Girl^[6] & the Wave^[7] - I regretted much to refuse him - but I offered the other two - I am two hundred miles away ^{from London} - & very busy [p. 3] consequently all arrangements must be exactly made for me - Mr Narr said his committees agent would call ^{for the pictures} but he did not even name the agent, or make any arrangement known to me by which the pictures were to be insured as I, and any person in my position, would desire.

I should really [p. 4] have been glad to think if the little White Girl & the Wave had been exhibited in Paris - and if an ^good opportunity occurs, will gladly lend them for exhibition - But do remember, I live a long way North, and must have a little time to make the necessary arrangements.

If Mr Morris^[8] had his way he would lock you & me up; end us or mend us

Yours sincerely

J Charles Potter

This document is protected by copyright.

Notes:

1.  John Charles Potter
John Charles Potter (1854-1920), wallpaper manufacturer and collector [more].

2.  Symphony in blue & gold
Nocturne: Blue and Silver - Cremorne Lights (YMSM 115).

3.  Chelsea - Wharf
Grey and Silver: Chelsea Wharf (YMSM 54).

4.  Munich
6th Internationale Kunst-Austellung, Munich, 1892.

5.  Mr Carl Narr
Carl Narr, possibly the organiser of a Paris art exhibition.

6.  White Girl
Symphony in White, No. 2: The Little White Girl (YMSM 52). It was exhibited in Munich, but negotiations to buy it for the Neue Pinakothek failed.

7.  Wave
Blue and Silver: Blue Wave, Biarritz (YMSM 41).

8.  Mr Morris
William Morris (1834-1896), painter, designer, poet and socialist [more]. Potter may have been alluding to a recent incident in which police had raided the offices of The Commonweal, Morris's Socialist League publication. It had published an editorial in support of the Walsall anarchists, then on trial.