Documents associated with: Etchings of Venice, The Fine Art Society, London, 1880
Record 4 of 15
System Number: 07974
Date: [28/29 November 1880][1]
Author: JW
Place: [London]
Recipient: Marcus Bourne Huish[2]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 2/19
Document Type: ALS
Look here my dear Huish I have not taken all this trouble for you in order that the people should 'be amused' by either any printing tricks or spun glass or meerschaum[3] pipe making in the place -
I have supposed that the Private View[4] was meant seriously - and if it is to be a fiasco it will certainly become one if every thing do [sic] not make way for the object itself -
Never mind about my part of the business - I know exactly where and how the etchings are to be put up - If they are ready they shall be hung tonight [p. 2] no matter how late - if not, tomorrow morning no matter how early -
If in short you intend to have Goulding[5] fidgeting about the place tomorrow - I will give up the whole thing - I will not have the matter ruined like this - Fancy at this moment telling me that because he is engaged he must come! - You had better lose no time in getting the two presses out of the way in order that there may be room for the people -
J Whistler
There are a good many more to come yet -
How in Gods name have you looked at the whole thing yourself all along? - Is it a farce or is it not?
[p. 3] 4th Decr
Renton[6]
Miss Thackeray[7]
Robertson[8]
Robinson[9]
Jeffery[10]
[Library?]
[medicine?]
Sandys[11]
Davis.[12]
'J. Whistler[13].Decr 1880.
November 28th or 29th
1880'
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. [28/29 November 1880]
Dated from date endorsement on p. 3, perhaps in the hand of M. B. Huish.
2. Marcus Bourne Huish
Marcus Bourne Huish (1843 - d.1921), barrister, writer and art dealer, Director of the Fine Art Society [more].
3. meerschaum
Ger: literally 'sea froth.'
4. Private View
A reference to Etchings of Venice, The Fine Art Society, London, 1880. Mr Whistler's Etchings of Venice, 1880 (the first 'Venice Set') (K. 183-189, 191-195). (excat 5) were to be on view for the first time.
5. Goulding
Frederick Goulding (1842-1909), printer and print-maker [more].
6. Renton
Renton, unidentified.
7. Miss Thackeray
Anne Isabella Ritchie (1837-1919), née Thackeray, pseudonym 'Miss Thackeray', writer [more].
8. Robertson
Robertson, a social acquaintance of JW.
9. Robinson
Perhaps Robinson, possibly a journalist, unidentified [more].
10. Jeffery
Jeffery, unidentified.
11. Sandys
Perhaps Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys (1829-1904), portrait painter and designer [more].
12. Davis
Possibly James Davis (1853-1907), dramatic author and journalist ('Owen Hall'), editor and proprietor of The Bat [more].
13. J. Whistler ... 1880
Written in another hand.