London
Apl 21 1842
Sir
I had the honor to receive your letter of the 19th. – While expecting to be more immediately interested in the success of the Calotype process I did express to Mr Goddard <1> my intention to employ my utmost energy in making it useful to various purposes and notwithstanding the difference in my present position I shall be glad to have the License embrace the taking of Views Buildings &c &c if it can be so arranged <2>
I have the honor to remain Sir Your mo Obt Hbl Srt
Richd Beard
[address panel:]
H F Talbot Esqre
&c &c
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. John Frederick Goddard (1797–1866), lecturer & photographer. Goddard had visited WHFT at Lacock Abbey on 8 April, taking photographs with him and Nicolaas Henneman. For examples of these, see Larry J. Schaaf, Sun Pictures Catalogue Nine: William Henry Fox Talbot: Friends and Relations (New York: Hans P. Kraus, Jr., Inc., 1999), pp. 22-29.
2. The discussions progressed to the point where WHFT had William Carpmael, his attorney, write out a proposed contract making Beard the agent for WHFT for 14 years for England, Wales and Berwick upon Tweed - the dates are not filled in save for the year 1842 and the Indenture was obviously never signed. Fox Talbot Collection, the British Library, LA(B)42-1.