<printed address>
La Belle Sauvage Yard,
Ludgate Hill, E.C.
20 Mornington Road,
N.W.
London,
March 12 1859.
Dear Sir
I enclose you a copy of your specification set up from the “Photographic News.” I hope you will favour me with your wishes on the subject of alterations, soon: as the printers are desirous to use the type again. I was only yesterday aware that the matter was still unsettled, for I thought that Messrs Petter & Galpin had sent you a copy shortly after it appeared and that you had returned it to them corrected and had received the pamphlets. It seems now however that they have not received any instructions from you.
I see in the report of the council of the astronomical society that you are about preparing a photoglyph of Mr Delarue’s 8 inch Moon. Would there be any objection to that being the plate picture for the “Photographic News” to circulate, as if you or Mr Dela Rue would not object I think the subject would be in every respect suitable for such a purpose. We would of course be very happy to meet your or his views with respect to copies for distribution to Learned societies &c. I have not been well lately or should have been able to have sent you some paper prints from negatives taken in the way I suggested. I have however asked a friend to print some and expect them now almost daily. I have been practising Photoglyphy lately. Objects such as lace or printing I can copy very well, but I fail when I attempt to apply the copal I cannot manage to powder the plate properly. The grains lay <sic> on my plates in large isolated patches and completely spoil the picture; do you employ any particular plan for dusting it <over?> of the requisite degree of fineness? If I could master this difficulty I think I could succeed very well.
Believe me very truly yours
William Crookes.
H. F. Talbot Esqre