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Document number: 3956
Date: 14 Oct 1839
Recipient: SMITH ELDER & Co
Author: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Collection: Univ Edinburgh Library Special Collections
Collection number: La.II. 648/223
Last updated: 3rd February 2011

Lacock Abbey, Chippenham
Oct. 14. 1839

Gentlemen

I thank you for your polite attention in sending me a copy of Dr Memes's <1> work - Having been absent from home, I only received your letter on my return, or should have replied to it sooner. As I think it is possible that the 2d edition of Dr M's book is by this time published any notice of Photogenic Drawing would come too late for insertion -<2>

In the London & Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine for March last,<3> I have inserted the papers which I read on the subject to the Royal Society and which contain the first account of the English method of photogenic drawing - It appears from Daguerre's <4> own account of the matter that he did not invent his present or improved process till 1835 which was the same time that I discovered mine

I do not therefore see how he can claim the priority, unless for his first process, which appears to have been too imperfect to be applied to practical purposes. Should Dr Memes introduce a historical notice of my photogenic drawing, I hope he will weigh the evidence of priority adduced on the part of Messrs Niepce <5> & Daguerre and give us his opinion to what extent it goes

I am Messr. Yours very truly.
H. Fox Talbot.


Notes:

1. John Smythe Memes, History and practice of photogenic drawing on the true principles of the Daguerréotype with the new method of dioramic painting; secrets purchased by the French government, and by their command published for the benefit of the arts and manufactures (London: Smith, Elder, & Co., 1839). [See Doc. No: 03939]. Rev. Dr. John Smythe Memes (1801-13 May 1858), born in Ayrshire, Scotland, originally practised as a teacher until he was ordained in 1844. A Fellow of the Astronomical Society of London, Memes was better known as a linguist and the author of books on diverse subjects in art and architecture, mathematics and even on Napoleon and the Empress Josephine. He died at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, where he was the Church of Scotland minister.

2. The 2nd edition was never published.

3. WHFT, "Some Accoount of the Art of Photogenic Drawing" and "An Account of the Process Employed in Photogenic Drawing," London & Edinburgh Philosophical Magazine, s. 3 v. 14 no. 8, March 1839, pp. 196-211.

4. Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre (1787-1851), French artist, showman & inventor of the Daguerreotype.

5. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce (1765-1833), photographic inventor.

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