Adelaide Gallery <1>
18. Août 1842
Monsieur,
J’ai reçu la chambre obscure (Systeme de Gaudin) <2> que vous m’avez chargé de commander pour vous à Mr Lerebours. <3>
Veuillez me dire si je dois vous l’envoyer chez vous. <4>
J’ai l’honneur d’être, Monsieur, votre tres humble Serr
A. Claudet.
Monsieur
Monsieur Fox Talbot
Sackville Street
Translation:
Adelaide Gallery
18. August 1842
Sir,
I have received the camera obscura (Gaudin’s model) which you asked me to order from Mr Lerebours for you.
Please tell me if I should send it to you your home address.
I have the honour of being, Sir, your very humble Servant
A. Claudet.
Mr Fox Talbot
Sackville Street
Notes:
1. Adelaide Gallery, Strand, London: Gallery of Practical Science; site of Antoine Claudet’s photographic studio.
2. Marc Antoine Augustin Gaudin’s (1804-1880) camera obscura had the added feature of a variable aperture, in the form of a moveable disc attached to the front of the camera, over the lens. This mechanism anticipated Waterhouse stops by some years.
3. Noel Paymal Lerebours (1807–1873), optician, of Lerebours & Secretan, Paris.
4. 31 Sackville Street, London, was the residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT. His home was Lacock Abbey, in Wiltshire.