Harley St <1>
May 16/54
My dear Sir
I am quite ready to sign an affidavit to the effect that I believe you to have been the inventor of the Kalotype process <2> as described by you – ie. the subsequent excitement by Gallic acid – and of a great many other excellent things – but as regards the Collodium <3> – until I know more precisely what part in that process you do claim as inventor I must reserve my conclusion
Au reste <4> I have not followed much of late years the developments of the several improvements – many of them very effective ones having been altogether distracted from scientific or any similar pursuits by the duties of my office <5> which for the last 2 years have been all-absorbing.
I remain Dear sir Yours Try
JFW Herschel
Notes:
1. London.
2. This affidavit, made 25 May 1854 [Public Record Office, London C31/1048,733], was to be used in the court case Talbot v. Henderson, attesting to the fact of WHFT’s invention and patent of the calotype.
3. Herschel often used this alternative spelling for collodion.
4. moreover; besides
5. Master of the Mint.