Description: [JAMES ABBOT MCNEIL WHISTLER; ART COMMENTARY, LITERARY FEUDS] FORD, Sheridan (Editor) "THE GENTLE ART OF MAKING ENEMIES" New York. 'Frederick Stokes & Brother' (spurious). 1890. First Edition. [unauthorized - pirated] (from the Paris sheets) 16 mo. (4.5 inches x 7.0 inches). (xviii ['xvii' duplicated]) 256 pp. Bound in original publishers gray-green wraps with red title lettering on spine and front panel. Covered in a plain white jacket which has obviously travelled with this copy for many decades; possibly the original wrapper. (we are attempting to research this but there are too few copies extant to determine). Minor old damp abrasion to heel. Prelims with old, ink annotated news clippings pertaining to the Whistler - Ford dispute and Whistler's independent publishing efforts dating from 1890 - 1892. Title page with ink ' - The Pirated Edition - ' indicated. No other ink or marginalia. Laid in is a card indicating 'From the Library of F.S. Howard' Also laid in is a bookseller catalog clipping from New York Booksellers 'House of Books Ltd' (555 Madison Ave.) [which had a copy - possibly this one ?- offered at '$50.00' in 1934.] Overall, very good. Nearly as legendary as Whistler's dispute with Ruskin which was the impetus for the production of this work, is the twisted and venom fueled process of its publication. As the story goes, Whistler approached Sheridan Ford his secretary, in 1889 regarding the prospect of producing a book about the 'art feud' between Whistler and John Ruskin who had written a scathing review of Whistler's painting 'Nocturne in Black and Gold - The Falling Rocket' (1874). Ruskin had flippantly written Whistler's artistic effort amounted to 'flinging a pot of paint in the public's face'. Of course Whistler took exception, and a series of incendiary letters and newspaper articles followed which Ford collected and included his own commentary to better illuminate the contentions of the two men. The initial understanding between Ford and Whistler was that Ford would publish himself taking royalties for his efforts and Whistler would have his story told. However, just as Ford was about to prepare the book for publishing, Whistler writes Ford (sending him a check for 10 guineas; ostensibly for his writing efforts) and tells him that HE would like to publish the book himself. Ford disagreed, sent back Whistler's check and the fight was on..... Ford proceeded to approach printers in several cities and each time the printer was to attempt to deliver sheets to the binder or bookseller, Whistler's attorneys and agents were able to stop and seize the produced books. This final effort by Ford to get the book published resulted in him falsely using the Stokes publishers imprint to get the book produced but only after a few copies were mailed to the UK, Whistler's agents seized the copies and had them sent to a Stokes warehouse who later informed those involved they had NOT had any genuine publishing arrangement with Ford. The copies and plates were burned in a fire at the Stokes location. Whistler eventually published his own 'authorized' edition the same year using nearly all of Ford's text and arrangement only stating that he, Whistler was the correct issuer. More editions followed in 1892 and 1900. Whistler attempted to 'exclusivise' his own publication by issuing special signed and limited editions, but it seems collectors have always sought out the earlier, pirated edition. Whistler and Ruskin fought it out in court with all the vitriol being for naught. Although Whistler 'won' the dispute legally, he was only awarded a single farthing as damages. Ruskin and Whistler were ordered to split court costs. The experience nearly ruined both men. We've attempted to trace extant copies selling at auction and located a copy selling at Christies (Sale 8626 Lot 73) for $1725 (w/ Whistler letter laid in) in 1997. We located no other copies currently in commerce or in dealer catalogs. In fact, there are no online images of this pirated edition available anywhere. There are likely no more than a handful of these 'first appearance' copies extant in original wrappers in collectable condition as here. Additionally, it's possible this copy retains the plain wrapper as seemingly no other copy is recorded to have. All in all a rare literary artifact at the nexus of the art, publishing and literary genres. A true collecting opportunity. Please email any questions -
Price: 699.99 USD
Location: Beverly Hills, California
End Time: 2024-12-19T08:15:07.000Z
Shipping Cost: 0 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Binding: Softcover, Wraps
Year Printed: 1890
Special Attributes: 1st Edition
