© Copyright 2001 R. G. Harrison Letter 475 Arles, 9 April 1888
My dear Theo,
I must write you, as I am sending you an order for paints; if you order them at Tasset’s and L’Hôte, Rue Fontaine, it would be a good thing �since they know me �to tell them that I expect a discount equal to at least the cost of carriage, which I will willingly pay; they need not pay the carriage, we pay for it here, but the discount in that case should be 20%. If they agree to that �and I’m inclined to think they will �they can supply me with paints until further notice, and that you mean a big order for them.
You will please ask old Tasset or old L’Hôte his absolutely lowest price for 10 yards of his canvas prepared with plaster or absorbent, and let me know the result of the discussion, which you will probably have with the good man, about the delivery of the above-mentioned goods. Here is the list: 20 Flake white, big tubes 10 zinc white ditto 15 Malachite green double tubes 10 Chrome yellow citron ditto 10 Chrome yellow (No. two) double tubes 3 Vermilion ditto 3 Chrome yellow ‘No. three�ditto �Newly pounded 6 Germanium lake small tubes �if they are greasy 12 Crimson lake ���I’ll send them back 2 Carmine �� 4 Prussian blue small tubes 4 Cinnabar green, very light small tubes 2 Orange lead �� 6 Emerald green �� This is a pretty heavy order (but without counting the difference between the discount which I can hope for,
and the cost of carriage); we shall make on it as much as the carriage will cost me, even without taking into account that I get no discount here.
Urgent 10 Flake white Large tubes 6 Malachite green Double tubes 3 Chrome yellow, citron � 3 ��No. 2 �Double tubes 1 ��No.3 � 1 Vermilion Double tube 3 Geranium lake, Small tubes 6 Crimson lake �� 2 Prussian blue �� 4 Emerald green �� Then �at once if possible �the actual price, to me, of 10 yards of the absorbent canvas, please.
The colour merchant here made me absorbent canvas, but he is so slow about it that I decided to have it sent from Paris or Marseilles, and I have given up all hope of getting him to do it, having lost all patience with him. While I was waiting for one size 30 absorbent canvas I painted two on canvas that was nonabsorbent.
You see of course that if you buy the paints for me, my expenses here will be at 50%. So far I have spent more on my paints, canvas, etc., than on myself.
I have still another orchard for you, but for heaven’s sake send me the paints without delay. The flowering time is over so soon, and you know this kind of subject delights everybody. As soon as I can pay for the © Copyright 2001 R. G. Harrison packing case and carriage (the latter will certainly be cheaper at the small station here than carriageforward at the Gare de Lyon), I’ll send you the studies.
Haven’t a cent at the moment, as I told you before. Do what you can, but anyhow let’s get the discount on the paints, provided you think it will pay us to work like this. Enclosed an order direct to Tasset and L’Hôte.
Ever yours, Vincent
I am rather curious to know what you will think of my first batch, which will certainly contain at least ten canvases.