14 Abercromby Place
29 March 1862
My dear Sir
A Jury of Photography on a great National or rather International occasion without Your name in it would be to Every one like the play of Hamlet with the Part of Hamlet omitted. <1>
It is quite compatible with the Rules that you may be a Juror & an Exhibitor, only by becoming a Juror You cease to be a Competitor for a Medal.<2>
But as there is no Great Medal on this occasion & only Prize Medals which for reasons of public policy will be numerous & given freely, this self-denial of a Juror has not much importance.
I think the Public would be much satisfied if you consented to be a Juror. You will have Efficient Colleagues both British & Foreign
General Sabine the President of the Royal Society <3> & Most of the Active Members have become Jurors.
I therefore venture to press upon you to take office, as in so doing I am only fulfilling a public duty.
I hope that Tuesdays Post may bring me an Affirmative Reply.
Yours Sincerely
Lyon Playfair
[envelope:]
H. Fox Talbot Esqr. F.R.S.
Millburn Tower
near Edinburgh
[lower left recto:]
Lyon Playfair
Notes:
1. The world's fair titled The International of 1862, known as the Great London Exposition, was held from May to November 1862 in South Kensington, London, on the site later chosen for the Science Museum and Natural History Museum.
2. Despite Playfair's entreaty, WHFT did not become a juror (see his reasoning in Doc. No: 08539). However, he received a medal for "Photographic Engravings on Copper & Steel, Produced by the Action of Light Alone." Wax castings of this were mounted on an elaborate card - see the frontis to Larry J Schaaf, Sun Pictures Catalogue Twelve: Talbot and Photogravure (New York: Hans P Kraus, Jr, Inc, 2003.
3. Gen Sir Edward Sabine KCB FRS (1788-1883), explorer, astronomer, ornithologist, FRS and the 30th President of the Royal Society.