Documents associated with: Constant, T. C. J.
Record 5 of 32
System Number: 04667
Date: [10 September 1896][1]
Author: JW
Place: [London]
Recipient: Rosalind Birnie Philip[2]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Glasgow University Library
Call Number: MS Whistler P307
Document Type: ALS[3]
'Sept 10. 96.'[4]
My dear Major -
I think I shall get off on Saturday morning - probably taking the boat to Boulogne and going to a little place called Étaples, close by - Then I may stay, or come along the coast to Calais and little villages in the neighbourhood -
Possibly may send a wire telling you to [p. 2] pack me off Constant[5] - In that case he is to bring me a little package of the panels I have in the studio - or there may be some in the closet in the hall - you know, by the dining room -
You know what I mean - the usual grey panels[6], of about the medium size - he had better have one or two sizes - I can cut them down - perhaps about a dozen or so in all -
Where is my straw hat? - You might wire tomorrow morning - just one word to say studio - or hat box? - Telegraph
Whistler. Sunlocks. London.
that is Heinemann's[7] business address -
Miss Kinsella[8] might be written to not to come back until she hears from me -
You can write one more letter to me tomorrow - (address the letter. Care of Mr. Heinemann 4. Whitehall Court - London -) telling me of any thing pressing you require - money.
Tell Bunnie[9] that I am going to [p. 3] write to her thanking her for the photographs & things -
Love to you all - How are you? - I hope your Mama[10] is quite French by this time! -
Always affectly
J McN. Whistler
Upon reflection I enclose cheque, which you can fill in -
The "credit Lyonnais" is right, isn't it? -
If any mistake, keep the cheque, explain in your letter, & I will send another -
Thursday -
This document is protected by copyright.
Envelope:
[registered letter:] Registered[11]
'Sept 10 1896'
àMademoiselle Birnie-Philip.
aux soins de
Monsieur Whistler -
110. Rue du Bac
Paris
France
[stamp:] POSTAGE 4½d
[postmark:] TOTTENHAM / A / SP 10 / 96
[postmark:] REGISTERED / W. D. O. / 3 PM / 10 SP 96
[postmark on verso:] PARIS DISTRIBUTION / [10?] 11 / SEPT / [9] 6
Notes:
1. 10 September 1896
Dated from the postmark.
2. Rosalind Birnie Philip
Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), JW's sister-in-law [more]. JW called her 'Major'.
3. ALS
The stationery has a deep mourning border.
4. 'Sept 10. 96.'
The date was added later in pencil by R. B. Philip.
5. Constant
T. C. J. Constant, JW's servant and valet [more].
6. grey panels
JW had thin mahoganny panels ready primed and prepared with a thin light grey background. They were used for his small oil paintings.
7. Heinemann's
William Heinemann (1863-1920), publisher [more].
8. Miss Kinsella
Louise Kinsella (d. 1923), patron of JW [more], posed for Rose et vert: L'Iris - Portrait of Miss Kinsella (YMSM 420).
9. Bunnie
Ethel Whibley (1861-1920), née Philip, JW's sister-in-law [more].
10. Mama
Frances Philip (1824-1917), née Black, JW's mother-in-law [more].
11. Registered
Double underlined.