WINCHESTER HOUSE,
OLD BROAD STREET,

LONDON, 6th.June 1910
E.C.

Dear Mr. Stieglitz,

I am in receipt of your letter dated June 27th for which I thank you.

I am very sorry that you do not see your way to help us, therefore our scheme will have to fall through. It seems a great pity as I fail to see how a contribution of three prints apeice would affect your Buffalo show and as I pointed out in my second letter Coburn has a number of prints which he considers good enough to show, so that we need not have put you to any trouble at all.

I think it would have been a good move to show the difference between really artistic and mediocre work, and to place the London Salon of Photography in a second-rate position from the start.

I hear that already Eugene and the Hofmeisters have promised to support it as doubtless many others will, believing it to be a first rate show under the patronage of the Linked Ring, freed from its objectionable members who hung all the American work in 1908.

Otherwise, I quite agree with your remarks except in the case of Evans which I still fail to grasp, and although a man may do his best in a particular line, it does not appear to me to be any reason for showing it in company with work which it seems quite out of place. If so, why should we not hang the technical

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section of the R. P. S. and the Salon together.

I particulary agree with your remarks re the Linked Ring, and
it is this matter which I must make my excuse for bothering you
again.

For a long time past some of us have realised that the Ring
was working on the wrong lines and consequently not receiving the
fullest respect and support from its American and Continental
members. We have tried very hard to reform this state of affairs,
and to a certain extent did effect some improvement until the advent
of Mortimer, since when we have had nothing but trouble and anxiety.

Finally, a small band of British workers have practically cut
themselves adrift, believing that they would promote the interests
of Photography better by holding periodical small shows of a very
select nature, which we were given to understand would receive the
support of yourself and others.

At the present moment, a state of chaos seems to reign, and
although you ask us to send to Buffalo, it does not help the
situation here one bit. You also tell us what you consider we should
not do but do not hold out any hope or encouragement, or tell us
what you suggest we should do.

I consider that apart from all other weighty considerations,
there should be some further incentive for the production of the
finest pictures other than pure love of one's art.

At the moment we are disbanded, homeless, and unless we have
some organization to rally around and some goal to work for, you
will find that men who are showing the utmost promise, will one by

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one, drift into the toils of those who are waiting to ensnare them
for selfish and commercial purposes.

Surely, if you consider our work worthy, it would be better
to come to some understanding for mutual support, and for the
recognition of the claims of Photography as an artistic medium in
this Country as well as in America.

I understand that some years ago, an International Society was
mooted; would not the present be an exceedingly opportune moment
for reviving the idea, and could we not organise an exhibition under
its auspices in London next Spring?

If we know soon we may be able to secure the Dudley, or other
gallery, and we already have sufficient money guaranteed.

Will you therefore supplement your kind letter with a few
words of advice as to our best course and let us know definitely if
we can count upon your support in the future.

Needless to say, we shall be only too please to reciprocate
same and in proof of this I could assist Ceburn in getting together
an interesting collection of British work for your Buffalo show.

I hope you will pardon me if I have put these matters to you
somewhat bluntly, but although an indifferent exponent of photography
myself, I fully realise its possibilities and take a very great
interest in its progress which I believe to be still in its infancy,
notwithstanding Mortimer's dictum that we have reached finality.

With kind regards,

Believe me,

Malcolm Arbuthnot.

LONDON, 10th June 1910
E.C.

Dear Mr. Stieglitz,

At the suggestion of our friend Coburn, who has approached me with regard to the forthcoming exhibition at Buffalo, I am writing to ask if you will be kind enough to give me a few particulars thereof.

I understand that it will be conducted on the group system, and I should be glad to know whether any preference will be given to any invited exhibitor in the matter of wall space or number of pictures, if so to what extent.

Otherwise, please let me know the approximate amount of work required, and if it is to be sent framed or not.

Personally I should not care to exhibit unless all the prints I am asked to send are hung, and I think this would be the feeling of most contributors from this country.

At the Japan-British exhibition we were asked to send four pictures apace, but the wall space proving insufficient, they were reduced to three by those hanging the pictures and of course they threw out the wrong one.

I understand that this was done by Messrs Mortimer and Blake and had I known that these gentlemen were to be allowed to do any selecting I should not have dreamed of exhibiting there.

Please state when the pictures will be required and also when

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they will be returned. This is important to me as I have a one-man
show due at what I take to be about the same time.

In your letter you state that it is to be a very select
exhibition at the same time mentioning that Mr. Evans will be con-
tributing and I take the liberty of expressing my surprise.

Personally I like Mr. Evans exceedingly, but the fact that he
is on the Committee of the new adventure known as the London Salon
of Photography will show you that his work is not to the taste of
the best workers here who have unanimously declined to support this
exhibition.

You are probably aware that we have been having a rather lively
time here, and the above show is the outcome, and it looks as though
they will make a great effort for the upholding of the mediocre and
commonplace and for the advancement of certain secondrate workers
and commercial interests.

Unfortunately, they have secured the gallery of the Fine
Art Society, and they will probably succeed in attracting a number
of discriminating people who will probably consider the things on
view to be the best that is done in photography, consequently, it
may prove a serious blow to our prospects of getting pictorial
photography taken seriously in London.

In order to combat this to some extent, it is proposed to hold
at the same time, a small show of the very best work, say three prints
from each exhibitor.

We are looking for a gallery, and if successful, we feel sure
of the support of those who are in sympathy here, both as regards
work and money.

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I should be glad to know if you would be willing to help us
by using your influence for the loan of some good work. I am men-
tion that Coburn approves of the idea and will take an active part in
it.

I hope you will pardon the liberty I am taking as a complete
stranger in the conventional sense by bothering you to this extent
but my only excuse is the cause which we both have at heart.

Believe me,

Yours very truly

Malcolm Arbuthnot.

LONDON, 22nd June 1910
E.C.

Dear Mr. Stieglitz,

Since my first letter I am glad to inform
you that we have been successful in securing a very suitable gallery
for the proposed small exhibition in September for which I solicited
your support.

We are also assured of the necessary financial assistance,
sufficient having been guaranteed to ensure that the Exhibition shall
be run to the greatest possible advantage.

It is proposed to invite on this side, only those workers whom
you mentioned in your letter to Coburn in connection with the Buffalo
Exhibition.

It now only remains for you to extend to us your support in
order to ensure a fine show.

As a matter of fact we really could manage with your passive
support only as we are aware that most of your energies are directed
towards Buffalo.

If you will give us permission to use the prints which Coburn
has in his possession we shall be very grateful, although of course
any more new work you can spare will be greatly appreciated.

We have the gallery under option for one week, so you see the-
time is short for us to decide whether we will hold the show or not.

Would it be trespassing too much on your kindness if I ask you

["JONATHAN MOORE", "WINCHESTER HOUSE,", "OLD BROAD STREET.", "OFFICE BOMBALLER, LONDON, S.E. 1/2", "DEAR MR. GREYBANK,\n\nI am very much pleased to inform you that I am very well and that I shall be able to return to my duties as a member of the House of Commons very shortly. I am very much pleased to hear that you are so well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you. I am very much pleased to hear that you are so well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you.", "I am very much pleased to hear that you are well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you. I am very much pleased to hear that you are so well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you. I am very much pleased to hear that you are so well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you.", "I am very much pleased to hear that you are well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you. I am very much pleased to hear that you are so well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you. I am very much pleased to hear that you are so well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you.", "DEAR MR. GREYBANK,\n\nI have been very much pleased to hear from you that you are well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind to you. I have been very much pleased to hear from you that you are so well and that you have been very kind to me and that I have been very kind

2.

to cable immediately as follows?

ARBUTHNOT, GERMALUS, LONDON, "YES "
or no as the case may be, although I sincerely hope it will not be
the latter as it would prove a great blow to our efforts. Of course
we shall remit the cost of the cable.

Mr. Davison fully approves of the idea and suggests that this
show will pave the way to greater things now that we have separated
the wheat from the chaff on this side.

Believe me,

Yours very truly

LONDON, 2nd August 1910
E.C.

Dear Mr. Stieglitz,

I beg to remind you that I am still
without your reply to my last letter.

Coburn has asked me to send the prints for Buffalo City direct
as he will not make a collection after all; shall I send them to
New York or Buffalo?

I shall be glad to know who is to pay the packing, freight
and insurance charges under the changed conditions and whether
there will be any difficulty in regard to the Customs.

Yours sincerely

there will be any difficulty in regard to the customers.

I shall be glad to know who is to pay the billings, please.

New York or Buffalo?

as he will not make a collection after all; shall I send them to
Cepaun has asked me to send the prints for Buffalo to direct
without your reply to my last letter.

Dear Mr. Steaggs,

E.C.
Comptroller
Sud Vaucluse 1810

7

LONDON, 7th September 1910
E.C.

Dear Mr. Stieglitz,

I sent you yesterday a case containing prints from
Mr. Read, Mr. Benington and myself for your Buffalo show which will
enjoy the success it deserves.

The case is declared to be of a value not exceeding five pounds.
I enclose herewith lists of prices for catalogue from Read & myself
but Benington is writing you direct.

So far as I am aware Coburn is still holiday-making in Ireland
but I hope he has given proper instructions to the rest of those
invited from here.

I looked in at the London Salon, and notwithstanding contributions
from the Hofmeisters, Frank Eugene, Holland Day, Mrs. Kasebier,
Duhrkoop, etc, it is a poor show and hung very badly.

I should be so much obliged if you will give me a direct and
definite answer to the questions contained in my last letter to you
and inform me if we can in any way count upon your help and support
in the future so that we can make our plans accordingly.

There seems to have been a great deal of misunderstanding in the
past; but I do not see why this should be, if we only deal with
each other in a straightforward manner and say *xboxx* precisely what
we mean and desire.

2.

I enclose a cutting from the current A. P. which will show you
Mortimer's attitude, and so far as I can gather he is entirely the
moving spirit of the L. S. even as to the selection and hanging.

I am afraid this show will have a very bad influence unless
something be speedily done to counteract it.

I shall be glad if you will send me a catalogue of the Buffalo
Exhibition when ready.

Hoping for an early reply, and with kind regards,

I remain,

Yours sincerely

THE
· LONDON SECESSION ·

WINCHESTER HOUSE,
OLD BROAD STREET, LONDON, E.C.

17.2.11

Dear Mr. Stieglitz,

You will be interested to hear that a small
Society has now been formed in London for the purpose of holding
periodical displays of the most interesting, original, and progressive
examples of Pictorial Photography.

The first Spring Exhibition will be opened to the public on
May 10th, particulars of which you will find in the enclosed extract
from circular to members, who are as follows.

J. C Annan, M. Arbuthnot, W. Benington, E. Calland, A. L.
Coburn, A. Cochrane, G. Davison, J. D. Johnston, Baron A. de Meyer
F. H. Read.

On behalf of the above, I have much pleasure in inviting you
to contribute three pictures (see paragraph 4 of the enclosure)
which I feel sure will add greatly to the interest of the exhibition.

Kindly also note the suggestions for mounting. No doubt you will
have heard from Mr. Steichen in this matter already.

With kind regards,
Believe me,

Yours sincerely

THE LONDON SECESSION.

The first exhibition will be held at the Newman Art Gallery, 29, Newman Street, W. from Wednesday May 10th until Saturday June 3rd

The hanging of the pictures will commence on May 6th at 1 p.m.

The Press View will be held on May 8th and the Private View on May 9th.

It is advisable that all who can should be present at these functions, especially the Press View.

With a view to having each exhibit effectively shown ( only one line of pictures around the gallery ) it has been arranged at a meeting ( Mr. Steichen being present from Paris ) that each member should exhibit three works, and that the following workers in other countries be invited to send three pictures each:- Mrs. Brigman, Mrs. Kasebier, and Messrs. Eugene, Day, Kuhn, Seeley, Steichen, Stieglitz, Clarence W. White. Mr. Steichen has given his best assurance of the acceptance of these invitations which will be issued in due course.

It was agreed that the framing of the pictures should be standardised, and you are therefore requested to send your work whatever size it may be unframed, but mounted the exact size of 24 x 19 inches to be hung upright.

Suitable frames with buttons on back will be provided and retained for future exhibitions.

All pictures must reach Mr. W. Benington, The Photographic Association, Conduit Street, London, W. not later than April 25th and must be accompanied by the exhibitors name, title of picture, and price if for sale.

The walls of the gallery will be covered with a suitable brown packing paper.

Malcolm Arbuthnot.

Hon. Secretary.

THE
LONDON SECESSION.

Winchester House, Old Broad Street,
London, E. C. 6th. April 1911.

Dear Mr. Stieglitz,

I have to acknowledge receipt of the pictures
from Buffalo belonging to Benington & myself, but I am sorry to say
that one of mine " Whither " has been completely spoilt having been
so badly creased that the paper and gum film has cracked right across

However, I suppose that is the fortune of war but it still
further strengthens my objection to sending prints to exhibitions
unframed.

It seems ages since I last heard from you but I trust that
you are sending us three pictures for our little show in May.

You will be interested to hear that it looks like being a great
success and I am working very hard indeed to achieve this.

It is already arousing great interest, and we are assured of a
splendid reception at the hands of the Press among whom I have severä
good friends.

We are sending out over five thousand invitations, not to the
photographic gang, but to good people such as Painters, Patrons, and
all persons interested in the higher branches of Graphic Art.

I have sent an invitation to Mrs. Brigman but so far have not
received a reply, so may I trespass so far upon your kindness as to
ask you to drop her a line reminding her that the pictures should be
here by the end of this month or sooner if possible.

Thanking you in anticipation & with kindest regards