H.M.S. "Superb"
Portsmouth
28th Jany
My dear Sir
I have been sadly neglectful in not sooner acknowledging your very kind present of the prepared paper <1> which I am really very thankful for. I shall purchase the instrument I require of Chevalier in Paris <2> – where we hope to be tomorrow night – & in Malta ten days thereafter
I beg to be kindly remembered to Mrs Talbot <3>, & your dear Children – & that you will believe me, my dear sir,
truly and gratefully yours
Geo. W Bridges
Notes:
1. Paper was iodised as a first step in preparing it for making calotype negatives. This could be done well in advance, with the final sensitising taking place in the field just before exposure.
2. Charles Chevalier (1804–1859), optician, Paris, supplied cameras for WHFT as well as Rev Calvert Richard Jones (1802–1877), Welsh painter & photographer.
3. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.