Old Putney Bridge |  Colby College Museum of Art, Maine (2013.400) | |
| Number: | 185 | |
| Date: | 1879 | |
| Medium: | etching and drypoint | |
| Size: | 200 x 298 mm | |
| Signed: | butterfly at bottom (1-5); shaded (6-final) | |
| Inscribed: | no | |
| Set/Publication: | Fine Art Society, 1879 | |
| No. of States: | 7 | |
| Known impressions: | 47 | |
| Catalogues: | K.178; M.175; W.145 | |
| Impressions taken from this plate (47) | ||
Although the copper plate has not been located, it was a large size, and intended from the outset for an important subject suitable for publication. It is likely that it was obtained from Hughes & Kimber, for it was of a size sold by them at this time. Several Hughes & Kimber copper plates of similar size were among the plates Whistler took to Venice later in 1879 to fulfil the commission from the Fine Art Society (The Riva [229], Nocturne: Palaces [200], The Bridge, Santa Marta [201], The Balcony [202], The Rialto [199]).
The copper plate was published by the Fine Art Society early in 1879, but when Whistler went bankrupt some of his copper plates were among works seized by the bailiffs. On 15 April 1889, it was recorded that the edition was completed and the plate destroyed and sent to the F.A.S. 11 It has not been located.