[the printed letter is in the NMM and the envelopes are in the BL]
Calotype Portraits
of Distinguished Members of the
British Association <1>
It has been considered desirable that the opportunity afforded by the present meeting should be embraced in order to secure Portraits in Calotype of the leading Members of the Association.
Mr Fox Talbot, the discoverer & patentee of the Calotype process has liberally given his permission, <2> and the Local Committee have kindly afforded the necessary facilities at the Museum for carrying this design into execution.
Mr Fox Talbot <3>
is respectfully requested to further the above object by sitting for his portrait, here, at any hour on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday between the hours of nine and four o’clock. The sitting occupies only a minute or two.
Mr D. O. Hill <4> R.S.A. will superintend the artistic arrangement of the sitters.
A few specimens of Messrs Hill and Adamson’s <5> Calotype Pictures may be viewed at the Museum
York Museum
Monday 30th Septr 1844
[envelopes - knowing that WHFT would be attending the BAAS meeting but obviously unsure of his address, Hill dispatched at least two copies to different addresses - both are in his hand and carry identical postmarks:]
H. Fox Talbot Esq.-
of Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Black Swan<6>
Coney Street
H. Fox. Talbot. Esquire
of Lacock Abbey
&c &c .-
British Associa:
York
Chippenham
Notes:
1. British Association for the Advancement of Science.
2. A written permission has not been located, D.O. Hill requested it in a letter of 21 September, see Doc. No: 05079.
3. This line was added in ink.
4. David Octavius Hill (1802–1870), Scottish painter & photographer.
5. Robert Adamson (1821–1848) photographer.
6. The Black Swan Inn was the terminus for the coaches from London - it was not the same as the present Black Swan in York.