Londres, 31 Sackville Street <1>
le 30 Octobre 1840.
Monsieur
J’espère que vous avez reçu un paquet de 20 dessins photogéniques <2> que je vous ai envoyé par les mains de M. Babbage. <3> Mais, comme je n’ai pas reçu des nouvelles de lui depuis son départ, j’ignore s’il a été présent à la réunion scientifique de Turin. <4>
M. le Comte de Shrewsbury <5> a bien voulu se charger du petit paquet que je vous envoye actuellement.
J’ai beaucoup perfectionné ma méthode photographique. Je puis maintenant rendre le papier beaucoup plus sensible à la lumière, que les plaques métalliques de M. Daguerre <6> le sont.
Je suis parvenu a prendre des portraits, non seulement au soleil, mais aussi très facilement à l’ombre –
Je suis, Monsieur avec la plus grande considération Votre très humble serviteur
H. F. Talbot
Translation:
London, 31 Sackville Street
30 October 1840
Dear Sir
I hope that you have received a package of 20 photogenic drawings that I sent you in the care of Mr Babbage. But, as I have received no news from him since his departure, I do not know whether he was present at the scientific meeting in Turin.
The Count of Shrewsbury has kindly taken charge of the small package that I am sending you now.
I have very much improved my photographic method. I am now able to make the paper much more sensitive to light, than are the metallic plates of Mr Daguerre.
I have managed to take portraits, not only in sunlight, but also very easily in shade –
I am, Sir with the greatest respect Your very humble servant
H. F. Talbot
Professor Amici
Notes:
1. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.
2. The images sent to Amici are now in the Biblioteca Estanse, Modena.
3. Prof Charles Babbage (1792–1871), mathematician & inventor. [See Doc. No: 04123, and Doc. No: 04117].
4. The second Congress of Italian Scientists. In 1839, Pisa hosted the first Congress of Italian Scientists. WHFT had intended to send specimens of photogenic drawing in time for that conference, but was delayed until this, the second Congress of 1840, in Turin. [See Doc. No: 03920, and Doc. No: 04008].
5. John Talbot, 16th Earl Shrewsbury (1791–1852).
6. Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre (1787–1851), French artist, showman & inventor.