Sir D. Brewster
&c &c &c
Edinburgh <1>
Janry 8 1861
Dear Sir
The specimens of photoglyphic engraving are all done from Nature –<2>
Although numerous small specimens have been obtained, it has been found a matter of some difficulty to apply the Art on a larger scale – This arises simply from the difficulty of obtaining large engravings without a fault or blemish in some part or other – The principles are the same for both. Some large ones recently made however give hopes that this difficulty will be soon surmounted.
Believe me Yours ever truly
H.F. Talbot
[in unknown hand, on verso:]
8 Jany 1861 Talbot sends photo[g]lyphs
Notes:
1. 11 Moray Place.
2. WHFT's meaning is ambiguous here. He did produce plates 'from nature', ie, by placing plant specimens on them, but this was mostly associated with his earlier photographic engravings. It is also possible that he is stressing that there is no handwork on the plates.