Documents associated with: World's Columbian Exposition, Department of Fine Arts, Chicago, 1893
Record 7 of 113
System Number: 08204
Date: 11 May [1892]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: David Croal Thomson[1]
Place: [London]
Repository: Library of Congress
Call Number: Manuscript Division, Pennell-Whistler Collection, PWC 3
Document Type: ALS[2]
33. Rue de Tournon. Paris -
May 11.
Dear Sir -
Many thanks for letter[3] -
Album[4] - You are quite right about reducing number of photographs - To begin with you might in any case eliminate (No. 19) (No. 27) (No. 36) (No. 6.) (No. 25.) (No. 32) (No. 35) and (No. 11.) -
Do you mean that the Goupils must make £600 and that I am only to have £100.? -
You propose to bring out 200 sets in all - and ask five guineas for each portfolio - If you were to lessen the number of photographs [p. 2] would you ask three guineas? and at that price would you be certain of selling a much greater number of sets? or would that still be too high a figure for Artists, etc?
How about the portfolios themselves? Have you been able to see any of those I told you at the F. A. S. or Dowdeswells[5]? -
I hope I have not lost it, but for the life of me I cannot put my hand upon the bill of the photographs you sent me this morning - As to the mounts, I don't think much of the specimen boards you enclosed - In the first place they look dirty - or "soiled" - and they should be quite smart and look valuable - Also I think white looks much less meritricious and amateurish than the tinted mount -
Champ de Mars[6] - Cut out whatever you see, Chronicle, Globe, etc - and send in your envelope - papers by post take longer and are sometimes lost -
The success here is absolutely enormous. - The Lady Meux[7] - tremendous! - The Mrs Taylor "Ocean"[8] could have been sold over & over - Now just [look] back in the Catalogue and read what was said of that same work in England! -
Little pastel - figure with child on her knee, sold at Petit's Gallery[9] for 3000. francs - pretty big price for Paris - what? -
How about Americans yet? - are there any more coming over - Mrs Potter Palmer[10] goes on to London - (she bought the pastel) She is the most important lady in the Chicago Exhibition[11] matters - You must find her and [p. 3] show her "La Dame au Brodequin Jaune[12]" - Also Falling Rocket[13] - (800. guineas I want you remember - I am asking 800 for the Fire Wheel[14] - So you can make you own price as we agreed) -
Do you want more Lithographs? They are drawing much attention here.
The Duke[15]. No hurry about him -
In haste
Very truly Yrs
J. McN. Whistler
[Date stamp:] GOUPIL AND COMPANY
13 MAY. 92
SUCCESSORS BOUSSOD VALADON & CO.
This document is protected by copyright.
Notes:
1. David Croal Thomson
David Croal Thomson (1855-1930), art dealer [more].
2. ALS
'30B' was written at the top of p. 1 in red ink in another hand.
4. Album
An album of photographs of works exhibited by JW in Nocturnes, Marines and Chevalet Pieces, Boussod, Valadon & Cie, Goupil Gallery, London, 1892.
5. F. A. S. or Dowdeswells
A Set of twenty-six etchings of Venice, 1886 (the second 'Venice set') (K.196-216, 233-237). (excat 6) was distributed in a large brown paper album, both at the Fine Art Society, and by the publishers, Dowdeswell and Dowdeswell.
6. Champ de Mars
2nd Exhibition, Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts, Paris, 1892.
7. Lady Meux
Arrangement in Black: Lady Meux (YMSM 228), then on exhibition in Paris.
8. Mrs Taylor "Ocean"
Symphony in Grey and Green: The Ocean (YMSM 72), owned by Mrs Peter Taylor, wife of the collector [more].
9. Petit's Gallery
Mother and Child (M.1285) was sold at the Galerie Georges Petit to Mrs Potter Palmer.
10. Mrs Potter Palmer
Berthe Honorée Palmer (1849-1918), collector, wife of Potter Palmer [more].
11. Chicago Exhibition
World's Columbian Exposition, Department of Fine Arts, Chicago, 1893.
12. La Dame au Brodequin Jaune
Arrangement in Black: La Dame au brodequin jaune - Portrait of Lady Archibald Campbell (YMSM 242).
13. Falling Rocket
Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket (YMSM 170).
14. Fire Wheel
Nocturne: Black and Gold - The Fire Wheel (YMSM 169).
15. The Duke
George Charles Spencer-Churchill (1844-1892), 8th Duke of Marlborough [more], who was considering a portrait commission (see r. and v.: Study for a proposed portrait of the Duke Marlborough (M.1337)).