UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Recto, above; verso, below:

The copper plate bears the maker's oval stamp: 'HUGHES & KIMBER (LIMITED) / MANUFACTURERS / LONDON E.C.'

It was close in size to several other plates dating from 1887 and 1888 including The Tow-Path [325] and Two studies of women's heads [331]. It was cancelled during Whistler's lifetime with crossed diagonal and horizontal lines.

The plate may have been cancelled in 1891. Whistler discussed with Edward Guthrie Kennedy (1849-1932) the possibility of printing one or two impressions from cancelled plates so that prospective buyers could see that no further prints were possible. Whistler's 'secretary' William Bell wrote when Kennedy visited London in June 1891: 'in accordance with his intentions expressed to you the other day, Mr Whistler has already destroyed a great number of the plates in question, and herewith sends you the proofs as an interesting fact of reference -' 6

Others cancelled at this time, and in the same way, include Little Steps, Chelsea [269], Gates, City, London [280], The Dray Horse [292], Petticoat Lane [299], Salvation Army, Sandwich [319], The Ramparts, Sandwich [324], The Tow-Path [325] and Church, Amsterdam [445].

The plate was in the artist's studio at his death and was bequeathed to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958). The plate was further cancelled, posthumously, with an additional diagonal line across the lower left corner. Miss Philip gave it to the University of Glasgow in 1935.