Lacock Oct 30
My Dear Emma
I am glad you liked the Specimen, and I now send two more. All of them are from glass photographs, which answer better than paper ones, although the latter can be used successfully. The chief difference is that glass gives somewhat better definition in the minute details.
In reply to your questions, I think that it makes not the slightest difference whether a paper photograph be on albumenized paper or not. You should wax any photograph you destine to send me, yourself & then you will immediately see if it is a bright and strong transparency or if its shadows are feeble. in which case it would not make a good engraving -
Mr Llewelyn is I believe acquainted with N. Henneman photographer, late of 122 Regent Street. He failed in business and as he is a man of industry and good character I have promised to employ him as an Artist in photoglyphic engraving in case we decide to bring the Art into practical application for illustrating books of travels &c. &c. The formation of a Company of limited liability has been spoken of, but nothing decided - But as 3 months or 6 months will elapse before I can give him such employment and in the meanwhile he is doing nothing, it strikes me that possibly Mr Llewelyn might be willing to employ him for 3 months in printing positives, or other photographic manipulations, at any moderate salary which would afford a living to his wife and Children. If Mr L. should feel disposed to do so, I could easily have Henneman down here for a few days and instruct him fully in the manipulation of the Photoglyphic Engraving (he is at present unacquainted with it) which I expect he would be able to learn in a week, practice so as to able to render material assistance at Penllergare if you really perservere in your intention of honouring the new Art by becoming one of its earliest votaries.
I have had great difficulty in procuring highly polished steel plates of good quality for engraving. In case some which I expect tomorrow from Sheffield should turn out good, shall I order some for you, say two dozen small plates 5 inches by 4. You will want a stock of them. Copper plates you can get very good at Hughes & Kimber, Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street - and I don, mean to say that his steel plates are bad, but I am not quite satisfied with their surface. All the plates should be bevilled at the edge, else they are liable to slip in printing.
Your affte Cousin
Henry Talbot