JAMES MCNEIL WHISTLER (1834-1903) American artist, a portrait painter with a pugnacious attitude best remembered for the portrait of his mother seated in a rocker. Uncommon A.L.S. "J. McN. Whistler " 2pp. sm. 8vo., [n.p., n.d.], on the bottom half of a black-bordered sheet of mourning stationery to Mr. Anderson, in part: "...You still don't tell me what the two numbers refer to. Mr. Kennedy is to have the three proofs marked with a star at the present price...but in future they will be 5-5 and to anyone else now. You will say that 'The Duet' and three others of which you have been informed must not go out. You may say to Mr. Freer that Mr. Whistler when he sees him will himself perhaps see about what the company cannot alone undertake... " Slightly weakened folds, a but of marginal wear, overall very good. $750-900