20 Victoria Square
London
Jan. 13– ’62
Private
Dear Sir
It may give you a clear idea of what I know of your process if I tell you that I wrote all the articles on the subject of Photoglyphic engraving which appeared in the Photo. News, <1> but if you can send me any paper, or refer me to any paper containing your previous labours I shall be glad to read it before writing my article.
As regards the plate, I do not know whether it would be practicable to take a cast which would be satisfactory directly from the plate but I should like to be able to put that to the test as well as a different method which might give better results; unless I succeed in this it will be impossible to print a specimen with type.
As regards the subject, I think the public would be more interested by a subject which gave the minute details characteristic of the photograph than by a copy of an engraving They would estimate your invention more highly – But – since you are kind enough to offer to send me a plate I will leave it to you to send me as many and what you please. I wish to do full justice to your labours but in comparing the results with those obtained by other processes I must, of course be guided by specimens before me.
I do not think the size of the plate would be material, but I enclose a paper the exact size of the letter-press of a page of “Once a Week”.<2>
I am, dear Sir, Yours faithfully
Geo Lumley
H. F. Talbot Esq.
Notes:
1. ‘Description of Mr Fox Talbot’s New Process of Photoglyphic Engraving’, Photographic News, v. 1 no. 7, 22 October 1858, pp. 73-75; and v. 1 n. 10, 12 November 1858, pp. 114-115.
2. What Lumley finally published was apparently the unsigned (and unillustrated) article about photomechanical illustration, "A New Chapter in Photography," Once a Week, v. 6, 14 June 1862, pp. 688-691.