Sept 14th 1847
Springfield Massachusetts
Dear Sir
Although personally unacquainted, yet I have taken the liberty of writing this letter, to make some inquiries about the "Talbotype" or or [sic] the new way of making "sun pictures" on paper. Some time since I read an account in a newspaper of your mode of working, and have made some progress; in but thought that if I had more of the details, I might suceed [sic] better and in less time. If you would take the trouble to send me a detailed account of the processes and fixtures neccessary to take Portraits and Views with the Camera, so that I could succeed it would oblige me very much, and I should take pleasure in sending you views from this country, as if it could be made profitable I should be willing to pay a liberal price for the information, and besides I should like to be among the first to spread the art in this country. My business for several years has been with the Daguerreotype.
Very Respectfully Yours
Franklin White
H Fox Talbot Esq
London
[address panel:
H. Fox Talbot Esq
London
England
[in another hand at top:]
try 31 Sackville Street
[in a different hand:]
Laycock Abbey
near Chippenham
[readdressed in a third hand:]
16 Saint James’s Square
Bath