London
29th March 1842
Sir
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter <1> of yesterday – With the prospect of an agreement being concluded allow me to suggest the importance of its being done if practicable before you take your departure for the Continent, in order that we may take advantage if possible of the whole of the ensuing Summer for bringing the invention into work both in Town and Country, this (the agreement) being completed I will place myself in communication with Mr Collen <2> to ascertain whether any and what arrangements can be made with that Gentleman which is the more desirable since his License gives him the power to work in any and every Town in the Kingdom should he see fit to do so – In reply to your enquiry I should beg respectfully to Submit I ought to be allowed to receive the percentage upon Every License which may be granted including that under which I may myself work here and elsewhere as well as any that you yourself may dispose of. it may very possibly and I think not improbably happen that for such sale you may be indebted directly or indirectly to the efforts made by me in bringing the invention into general use for I expect in addition to my three Establishments <3> in Town and two or three in the Country I should forthwith be the means of introducing it all 8 or 10 other Towns where my own patent is now in work
I have the honor to remain Sir Your obnt humble Srt
Richd Beard
[address panel:]
H F Talbot Esqre
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. See Doc. No: 06649.
2. Henry Collen (1800–1879), miniature painter, calotypist & spiritualist, London.
3. In Kelley's Post Office London Directory for 1843, Richard Beard’s ‘Photographic Portrait Rooms’ are listed at the following addresses: Royal Polytechnic Institution, 309 Regent Street; and 34 Parliament Street; 85 King William Street, City. Beard also had a manufactory at 17 Wharf Road, City Road.