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Document number: 6531
Date: 17 Nov 1851
Dating: 17 Nov 1851 or shortly before - see Doc no 06518
Recipient: GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851 Exhibition Committee
Author: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Collection: National Science and Media Museum, Bradford
Collection number: 1937-5456
Last updated: 26th November 2012

[draft:]

The R.Commrs. naturally wish to have ye work done as quickly as is consistent with its being well done. As to speed, I have known Mr Hn make 300 copies in a summer’s day. I only state the number from memory at present- But there exists an accelerated process which I discovd. some years ago, and which would produce the copies at the rate of at least a thousand per diem, which might be adopted on this occasion, [illegible deletion] though hitherto such rapidity has never been required in practice, the common methods sufficing. This method has not been tested in one point only, viz. whether the copies will keep perfectly good for many years. Exper From theoretical consideratns. I shd say that they were more likely to be well fixed than those made by the usual method slower process.

If the Royal Commers would take not object to this plan being adopted, the work would be very speedily done. and the plates might then be kept for a

As my meaning apparently was misunderstood in one respect, I beg to explain that I disclaimed any royalty on this work but of course on the unders supposition wh of that one or other of my licensees were to execute the work. It had never occurred to me that it cd be otherwise. The royalty so relinqud would be £500 or £600 supposing the whole cost of the plates from £2000 to £2400. But if the profits of the work are to be given to a stranger, I do not then disclaim the royalty; why shd I?- On the conty I claim it, only in the shape of copies of the work itself rather than of money, which arrangt. I should think must be far more agreeable to all parties- I am truly sorry to give ye Ldshpso much bother on this subject, but you will belve when I assure ye that I am most reluctantly drawn into this controversy & only in self defense.

[expanded version:]

The Royal Commissioners naturally wish to have the work done as quickly as is consistent with its being well done. As to speed, I have known Mr Henneman to make 300 copies in a summer’s day. I only state the number from memory at present. But there exists an accelerated process which I discovered some years ago, and which would produce the copies at the rate of at least a thousand per diem, which might be adopted on this occasion, [illegible deletion] though hitherto such rapidity has never been required in practice, the common methods sufficing. This method has not been tested in one point only, viz. whether the copies will keep perfectly good for many years. Experiments From theoretical considerations, I should say that they were more likely to be well fixed than those made by the usual method slower process.

If the Royal Commissioners would take not object to this plan being adopted, the work would be very speedily done. and the plates might then be kept for a

As my meaning apparently was misunderstood in one respect, I beg to explain that I disclaimed any royalty on this work but of course on the under supposition which of that one or other of my licensees were to execute the work. It had never occurred to me that it could be otherwise. The royalty so relinquished would be £500 or £600 supposing the whole cost of the plates from £2000 to £2400. But if the profits of the work are to be given to a stranger, I do not then disclaim the royalty; why should I? On the contrary I claim it, only in the shape of copies of the work itself rather than of money, against which I should think must be far more agreeable to all parties. I am truly sorry to give your Lordships so much bother on this subject, but you will believe when I assure of that I am most reluctantly drawn into this controversy and only in self defense.

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