UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

Recto, above; verso, below:

The copper plate bears the partial oval stamp of the makers, 'HUGHES & KIMBER (LIMITED) / MANUFACTURERS / LONDON E.C.' It is similar in size to many plates, mostly by the same maker, and dating from 1887, such as Melon Shop, Houndsditch 355, High Street, Brussels 343, Old Battersea Bridge, No. 2 275, The Little Terrace, Luxembourg Gardens, No. 2 444 and Fishing Quay, Ostend 351.

The plate was cancelled with crossed diagonal lines, probably 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 - ' 7

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 Tow-Path 325 and Little Nude Figure 330.

The plate was in Whistler's studio at his death and was bequeathed to Rosalind Birnie Philip (1873-1958), who gave it to the University of Glasgow in 1935.