Letter from James McBey to Clemence Bonnet (Letters and Memorabilia Belonging to James McBey)

SenderSent by James McBey (Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)

RecipientReceived by Clemence Bonnet

Date1944

Object NameLetter

Mediumpaper and ink

ClassificationsMcBey

Dimensions33 x 20.3cm

AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG008357.26

Keywords

About MeLetter from James McBey to Clemence Bonnet, dated 12 November 1944, related to the struggles of living through World War II. McBey expresses surprise that Marguerite's mother had been regularly receiving copies of the Tangier Gazette, although delayed by 4 to 6 weeks, and recently a letter from Castle. He explains that it had been two and a half years since he had heard from Clemence though, as nothing had been delivered since her letter dated 21 May 1942. McBey explains that he had written twice to respond to that one with no luck, but thought that conditions were now improving in North Africa, so others might begin to get through. He tells Clemence that "Legg" had written to them after he reached London, but now they could not get a reply.

McBey also talks about his longing to get back to Tangier, explaining that "Dr Hahon", who was now a full commander in the U.S. Navy, had come to see them two days after arriving back from North Africa. He too had tried without success to get into Tangier.

Another person struggling to get into Tangier was "Madame Barjona", who McBey explains was "Couragiously working in a factory making munitions" waiting for the day when she could return to Tangier. McBey also tells Clemence that himself and Marguerite had met with her brother, who seemed happy and well, but he had written about that in a previous letter.

In the rest of the letter McBey tells Clemence about 11 MacDougal Alley, the studio in New York, which they had initially rented on a montly basis when they arrived in America. James and Marguerite arrived in August 1943, when McBey was granted a permit to paint, and were now to keep the lease until October 1945. McBey explains that the accomodation consists of a studio upstairs and a room below, "which we use to eat, sleep and live in, as there is a tiny bath now." He says they both enjoy living there, as the street was very "European" and did not have the same hustle and busle as the rich part of New York.

McBey also tells Clemence that word from London had come that a "robot bomb" had fallen within 150 metres of the house there that August. It blew in all the shop windows in the street, but only broke two of the windows at the back of their house. An engineer McBey knew had also travelled specially to see if the Marrakesh house was still there, and found everything to be alright, with the artist Rene Martin living in it.

At the end of the letter McBey writes;
"Now write me and tell me about
yourself
your father and mother
your daughter
Ruth Maxwell
life in Tangier
your boy friends."

This object is part of an archive that belonged to Marguerite McBey. As a result of her generosity, Aberdeen Art Gallery holds the largest archive of James McBey's work, including prints, drawings, sketchbooks, oil paintings and memorabilia such as this letter.