[James Abbott McNeill Whistler, artist; Rosalind Birnie Philip] Substantial Autograph Letter Signed R. Birnie Philip to Frank Rutter, art critic, curator and activist who's questioned her preparing for his biography of Whistler.

Three pages, 12mo, bifolium, good condition. Text: [Note about his requests] You are no doubt aware that Mr Whistler strongly objected to anything in the nature of a Biography or a life of himself being published, and in these circumstances I do not feel that I should co-operate in any work of that kind although I have no objection to your doing in moderation what others have already done with regard to the illustrations. | As regards the publication of quotations or extracts from books such as the Ten O'Clock [Mr. WHISTLER'S TEN O'CLOCK As Delivered in London, At Cambridge And at Oxford together with his Propositions and Propositions No.2, pub.1907] you will know that such publications, within reasonable limits is within the rights of everyone: again I have no objection to your doing in moderation, what others have already done. As to Mr Whistler's correspondence, I have always felt obliged to refuse permission to anyone to publish Mr. Whistler's letters in view of his express directions to me in regard to them. The correspondence with Fantin Latour extracts from which were published by Monsieur Benedite in the 'Gazette des Beaux Arts' was so published with my knowledge, in connection with the exhibition of Mr. Whistler's works in Paris, and I prefer that they should not appear again. | I appreciate your kind offer to let me see a proof of your book, but even if I [? see image] to associate myself with a book of that character, I fear that I am much too busy just at present to accept it. Notes: A. See Wikipedia entry for Rosalind Birnie Philip, Whistler's sole beneficiary and the executrix in his will.; B. Beatrice (also called 'Beatrix' or 'Trixie')[daughter of John Birnie Philip, sculptor], who married James McNeill Whistler in 1888. Their daughter Ethel married the writer Charles Whibley. Birnie's youngest daughter Rosalind Birnie Philip acted as Whistler's companion, secretary and house-keeper after Beatrice's death, and was appointed his executrix. From December 1900 to February 1901 Birnie's son Ronald accompanied Whistler on a trip to the Morocco, Algiers and Corsica. Beatrice, Ronald, Ethel and Rosalind all modelled for him at various times, as did their mother Frances. [Wikipedia] See Image.