20 Mornington Road N. W.
August 13 1858
Dear Sir
I am much obliged by the ready acquiescence you have given to my request for an engraved plate. The intended new periodical is to be called the “Photographic News,” it will appear weekly, of nearly the size of the Athenæum – price/ 3d – Messrs Petter & Galpin, in conjunction with Mr Cassell are going to print and publish it, and from the gigantic nature of their present publishing business (the aggregate number of periodicals they print weekly exceeds half a million) and the extensive arrangements which they are making to secure the earliest and best photographic intelligence from all parts of the world together with the extensive publicity which will be given to it by advertisements, I have no hesitation in saying that it will soon exceed in circulation any similar periodical extant. The first number will be published early in September consequently I should feel obliged if you could let me have the plate or specimens to choose from at your earliest convenience. I have mentioned the affair to Messrs Petter & Galpin and they are very desirous of employing the process occasionally in the new periodical – There would not be much difficulty, I presume in coming to some arrangement with them for that purpose. I am not aware that any details of your new discovery are publicly Known. Many photographers and scientific Men however Know that you have lately made some great advance in the science but very few know even that it is in the direction of engraving and subsequent printing – in printers ink; I have heard many vague guesses at the discovery, among others it has been supposed that you have obtained naturally coloured photographs –
I shall be obliged if you will favour me with an early reply and remain
very truly yours
William Crookes
H. F. Talbot Esqre