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Document number: 5581
Date: Wed
Dating: possibly 1843 - see note
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: FEILDING Elisabeth Theresa, née Fox Strangways
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number: 28855
Collection number historic: LAM-98
Last updated: 26th May 2010

Wednesday

Dear Henry

The forgeries in America which are laid on the Daguerreotype <1> must really be done by your black art, for how could they imitate a bank note &c &c on a stiff hard substance? Constance <2> will tell you all things.

Adieu


Notes:

1. The veracity of photography almost immediately led to fears of counterfeiting. While the daguerreotype did reproduce fine details, Lady Elisabeth was correct in observing that WHFT's paper process was a more appropriate medium. However, there were attempts to turn the daguerreotype plate into a printing plate. On 26 November 1843, Lloyd's Weekly London Newspaper reported on the use of the daguerreotype and electrotype to forge banknotes of the Cincinatti Bank.

2. Constance Talbot, née Mundy (1811–1880), WHFT’s wife.

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