Documents associated with: 2nd Summer Exhibition, Grosvenor Gallery, London, 1878
Record 16 of 20
System Number: 07386
Date: [5 December 1878][1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Walter Théodore Watts-Dunton[2]
Place: London
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler W1374
Document Type: ALS
'6 Dec 1878'[3]
THE WHITE HOUSE,
CHELSEA EMBANKMENT.
Thursday night
My very dear Watts -
I do hope you will bring Mrs FitzGerald[4] here on Saturday at 3 o'clock - I have got a Nocturne[5] for her - or I think I shall have one - and the Show[6] is awfully hot!
[butterfly signature]
Do come in tomorrow at 12. o'clock -
This document is protected by copyright.
Envelope:
'T W D & Whistler[7] / '78'
Theodore Watts Esq.Ivy Lodge
Werter Road
Putney
[stamp:] POSTAGE / ONE PENNY
[postmark:] LONDON WC / 7 / DE 6 / 78
[postmark on verso:] LONDON. S. W. / A O / DE 6 / 78
'278'[8]
Notes:
1. [5 December 1878]
Dated from postmark, and from day of week; 'Thursday' was the 5 December 1878.
2. Walter Théodore Watts-Dunton
Walter Theodore Watts (later Watts-Dunton) (1832-1914), solicitor, novelist and poet [more].
3. '6 Dec 1878'
Added in pencil, in another hand.
4. Mrs FitzGerald
Mrs Fitzgerald, patron.
5. Nocturne
Possibly Nocturne in Grey and Gold (YMSM 155) or Nocturne: Grey and Silver (YMSM 156). It appears that Nocturne in Grey and Gold (YMSM 155) belonged to Lucas ('Luke') Alexander Ionides (1837-1924), stockbroker and businessman [more], and that JW hoped to profit by its sale to Mrs FitzGerald (JW to L. Ionides, #02366). Alternatively, it may have been Nocturne in Blue and Gold (YMSM 154) or another of the three Nocturnes exhibited by JW at the 2nd Summer Exhibition, Grosvenor Gallery, London, 1878.
6. Show
A reference to the precarious circumstances of JW's professional life rather than to a specific exhibition. He had recently won his libel case against John Ruskin (1819-1900), critic, social reformer and artist [more], but without financial recompense.
7. T W D & Whistler / '78
Endorsement written in another hand.
8. '278'
Written on reverse of envelope in blue pencil, in unknown hand.