Letter from Gladys Forrest to James McBey (Letters and Memorabilia Belonging to James McBey)
RecipientReceived by
James McBey
(Newburgh, Scotland, 1883 - 1959)
SenderSent by
Gladys Forrest
Date1930
Object NameLetter
Mediumpaper and ink
ClassificationsMcBey
DimensionsLetter: 22.7 x 17.7cm
Envelope: 9.6 x 12.1cm
Envelope: 9.6 x 12.1cm
AcquisitionPresented in 1988 by Mrs Marguerite McBey.
Copyright© Aberdeen City Council (McBey Collection)
LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub
Object numberABDAG008357.39
Keywords
"Forget my silly flipp and letter of yesterday, but after my serious outburst on Thursday, of which I'm not at all proud, I just had to be tiresome."
Gladys then goes on to explain what she meant when previously telling McBey that she was afraid of him. She tells McBey that this "wasn't perfectly true", as she was actually afraid to fall in love, going on to say; "I know that its silly to be afraid of that but I always have been." Gladys then explains that she has been silly throughout their "friendship" but despite this McBey did not break things off, even though Glady's tried the previous year.
She then goes on to say; "I loved you. But I have seen so much of women trying to be possesive that I decided I'd never be that. So I gave you just what I thought you wanted - nothing more, making no further demands on your time than you asked for."
Gladys tells McBey about an interview she had with the "editior" for a job in the south of France, which she "stupidly turned down", regretting this decision because she now wanted to make a clean break. Then goes on, "In Scotland I missed you terribly, so I decided when I returned to finish things off." Gladys tells McBey that she did not think he would take her up on her offer to visit the family, but he did, and the family liked him.
Regardless of this meeting Gladys still wants to break things off and ends the letter by saying; "At the moment I can't see you again. But good luck. Good bye my dear. Gladys."
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.
