the marketing of eastern point and summer squall

These letters, which Homer wrote to his dealer M. Knoedler & Co., are typical of his later correspondence—the principal concerns expressed therein being the presentation, exhibition, and marketing of his work. Knoedler normally kept correspondence with an artist in its archives; however, in the case of these letters related to Eastern Point and Summer Squall, and the correspondence concerning Undertow, the dealer atypically gave the letters to Clark.

Letter from Winslow Homer to M. Knoedler & Co., March 29, 1901

March 29 1901                      
Scarboro Me

M Knoedler & Co

Gentlemen—

Please send me the three mats (5 inch mats) directly they are finished

Yours truly
Winslow Homer

P.S. That picture of the “Eastern Point” now at the American Society Ex—is too good not to be sold for some price—If I am wrong in putting it too high you must let me know & although I did not put it in the exhibition for sale —If you hear that anyone wishes it you can arrange to pay the Society their commission & between you & myself decide a fair price.

Yours—
W.H.

P.S. March 29, 1901 19 x 9 1/2 size of paper to be covered by mat One more frame & mat to be put with the three mats to be sent to me.
Winslow Homer

Letter from Winslow Homer to M. Knoedler & Co., March 22, 1902

March 22nd, 1902               

M Knoedler & Co

Gentlemen—

In reply to your favor of the 20th I will say that in view of my having made a contract to build a stable & the fact that for some reason that picture of the “Eastern Point” has been out so long—I will put the cash price to you for your trade at $1000.

If you fail to make a go of it—I will ask you to kindly pack it up & send it to me.

In regard to the painting “The Breakers”—I never gave that title to a picture—& in 1896 the date in which you say it was painted. I only painted two pictures in that year & they were not of that description.

If it is a winter scene & painted in 1894 & called “High Seas” I know all about it

Yours very truly
Winslow Homer

If it is not a winter scene, it’s a fraud & a swindle.

Letter from Winslow Homer to M. Knoedler & Co., May 5, 1904

Scarboro Me
May 5th 1904  

Gentlemen—

I regret the long delay in sending the painting to fill that frame

It has been so cold & wet here that paint would not dry—& I had all I could do to keep alive—

I now send you by American Express the Painting—“Summer Squall ” (Net me $700.) 

(I should prefer that you should not charge more than $1000. for it)

I also with this send the three watercolors for the three new frames I ordered made—

Title of W C

            “Lizzie”
“Weighing Anchor”
            “Market Boat”

I think if you put “Lizzie” in your window it would be a good idea

Thanking you for the very kind attention I rec’d when in New York

Yours Very Truly
Winslow Homer

I am very well again

Letter from Winslow Homer to M. Knoedler & Co., September 30, 1904

Sept 30th              

Gentlemen

I told Mr Beatty that he could have that picture “Summer Squall” thinking that it was in your Gallery or store If it is possible let him have it—That is the only thing that there is new—& all there is for him—I have nothing here although I am now painting on two pictures

Yours Resp’y
Winslow Homer

Letter from Winslow Homer to M. Knoedler & Co., October 5, 1904

Oct 5th 1904                           

Gentlemen

I am in receipt of your favor & will say go ahead & send that picture “Summer Squall” to Mr John W Beatty Carnegie Institute & give the name of the owner on your invoice to him

Yours Truly
Winslow Homer

P.S. I am painting two oil pictures, one of which is quite an affair.

Letter from Winslow Homer to M. Knoedler & Co., October 8, 1904

Oct 8th, 1904                          

Gentlemen

Please send this enclosed invoice to John W. Beatty Carnegie Institute Pittsburgh Pa—after having written the name of the owner of this painting “Summer Squall” on one of the enclosed cards

Yours resp’y
Winslow Homer