link to Talbot Project home page link to De Montfort University home page link to Glasgow University home page
Project Director: Professor Larry J Schaaf
 

Back to the letter search >

Result number 41 of 64:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 7808
Date: 18 Feb 1859
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: CROOKES William
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: Acc no 20711 (envelope only)
Last updated: 11th October 2014

20 Mornington Road N. W.
Febr 18. 1859

Dear Sir

I have placed your letter and the potoglyphs which accompany it before Messers P. & G. They wish me to express to you their sincere thanks for your kind offer, – and we all think that the specimens are so much in advance of any previously done that they would be most happy to accept your proposition at once, and issue plates with an early number of the “Photographic News”.

At the same time we would submit the following ideas to your consideration It cannot be denied that there was some little disappointment felt last time and it is feared that unless the large plate issued is something very excellent the invention will loose[sic] in public estimation without the “News” being any gainer, therefore as you are succeding so satisfactorily with the manipulatory part of the art Messrs P & G. think it would be better to defer any operations with these present plates for a month or two and perhaps in the mean time something superior might be produced.

It is now some time since you stated that you contemplated making some arrangements to bring the art commercially before the public and pending such arrangement you thought it would not be advisable to grant me a license to practice it. from some expressions in your last favour I judge that you feel the process is capable of being considerably improved in the manipulatory part if persons who were skilled in similar manipulations tried their hand at it and devoted more time and attention than perhaps you can give. I am very anxious to try what I can do with the process and I think I can bring as much skill and experience to bear upon it as most persons – at the same time I do not wish you to do anything which could in the slightest degree interfere with any ulteriour arrangements you might contemplate.

We all think the burnishing out of the forground will be a great improvement in the picture which you have so marked

Believe me very truly yours
William Crookes

H. F. Talbot Esq

[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esqr
Laycock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire

Result number 41 of 64:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >