Documents associated with: Universal Exhibition, Paris, 1900
Record 3 of 41
System Number: 09974
Date: [8 June 1899][1]
Author: JW
Place: Paris
Recipient: John Lavery[2]
Place: London
Repository: Tate Gallery Archives
Call Number: Lavery Collection, TGA 7245/284
Document Type: ALS[3]
110 Rue du Bac
My dear Lavery -
It is without any hope - I think - no - I am really sure that there is no chance -
I have been behind the scenes[4] - and I know that if any thing were at all possible - it would be done for me - [p. 2] Of course this is absolutely confidential, between Guthrie[5] and yourself - But the upshot is that no chance have any of you, except such as you may obtain from the British Commission -
Now this has nothing whatever to do with the request being late or early -
But in reality there is no room[6]!! of any kind for any body! -
I may tell you for your private satisfaction that France is to be presented in its entirety by 1500. pictures! - that there will be accorded to the distinguished a right to exhibit 8 pictures - but they must not take advantage of such grace! - There is no room for them - The Salon & the Champ de Mars will not show as bodies by right - that is, Societaire of the Champ de Mars will not be accorded the right of exhibiting - All arrangement comes under another jurisdiction -
I am assured there will be a d—d row when the time comes - Mind my knowledge is from the very centre, where they are very kind & courteous to me [p. 3] and I am further promised that the matter shall be pushed into details of information and that I shall hear every thing - but that what is the use - the architects have muddled the space! - Also no individual will, as heretofore had been the custom) - be granted a room to himself -
I have been unable to approach those - whom I have at last met - because of then being invalided - the venal influenza! -
I write to you directly upon my information -
Let me hear from you how this effects you all -
Always sincerely
[butterfly signature][7]
This document is protected by copyright.
Envelope:
John Lavery Esq5 - Cromwell Place -
London
S W
Angleterre
[stamp:] POSTE / 15 / REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE
[stamp:] POSTE / 10 / REPUBLIQUE FRANCAISE
[postmark:] PARIS / R. DES SAINTS PERES / E 8 / JUIN / 99
[illegible postmark on verso]
Notes:
1. [8 June 1899]
Dated from postmark.
2. John Lavery
John Lavery (1856-1941), painter [more], , Vice President of the International Society of Sculptors, Painters and Gravers.
3. ALS
Written on deep bordered mourning paper.
4. behind the scenes
This concerns the Universal Exhibition, Paris, 1900, and is a reply to Lavery's enquiry regarding the possibility of getting a room in it (8 June 1899, #09965).
5. Guthrie
James Guthrie (1859-1930), landscape and portrait painter [more].
6. room
Triple underlined.
7. [butterfly signature]
'Let me hear ... [butterfly signature]' is written in the left-hand margin on p. 1. at right angles to the main text.