3, Guildford Place, Russel Square
W.C. London
Sir,
In consequence of your desire I have the pleasure of forwarding to you by book post four copies of Rubens head, and hope that you will be able to obtain some favourable results. However anything decisive ought to be done soon, because it is quite impossible to me to endure my embarrassments any longer.
I do not consider it necessary to form a Company, <1> which is sometimes very troublesome and expensive to manage. I myself could arrange such a business with a very small capital, and I am sure to obtain many orders for producing plates and blocks. I would not enter the publishing line at all, excepting perhaps by producing a few more specimens, and I am not doubted that such business, begun in a small way, would increase very soon, especially if you throw your influence and popularity into the scale. Moreover we could produce something very excellent for the next exhibition, <2> which seems to be very much advisable for the purpose of competing with other nations, who no doubt will exhibit many proofs in this branch of art. They are not suppressed like myself, but in the contrary they are encouraged and assisted therein. - I can only add that I would deplore it sincerely, if I should be compelled by circumstances to go on without your assistance and cooperation.
In the flattering hopes of hearing very soon again from you, permit me to remain Sir Yours very faithfully
Paul Pretsch
H. F. Talbot Esq.
Notes:
1. WHFT had declined to join Pretsch, Joseph Hogarth (b. 1802), London printseller, and others in a proposed photographic engraving company.
2. The second International Exhibition, 1862.