[engraved invitation with hand-written insertions]
The Lord Chamberlain is commanded by The Queen <1> to invite Mr Wm H. Fox Talbot to a Ball on Wednesday the 13th of June 1849 at ˝ past 9 o’Clock.
Buckingham Palace.
[at bottom right] Full Dress.
[on reverse of card in another hand]
Enq: Lansdowne House. <2>
Envelope:
Wm H Fox Talbot Esqr&c &c &c
Laycock abbey
Chippingham [sic]
Wiltshire
Breadalbane <3>
Notes:
1. Queen Victoria.
2. Lansdowne House, London: home of the Marquis of Lansdowne, WHFT's uncle and cousins.
3. John Campbell, 2nd marquess of Breadalbane (1796–1862), Lord Chamberlain 1848–1852 and 1853–1858.