April 26

Greta bank Keswick

D^r Sir

In compliance with your request I have sent off per railway a parcel containing 20 specimens of steel engraving, which I beg to offer as a gift to the Society of Arts for purposes of distribution as mentioned in your letter.

I will take this opportunity of mentioning that 2 years ago I lent to the Society 2 photographs one of them a very large one which I value, being a gift to me from M. Pretch <sic> of Vienna – and that I have never received them back from the Society.

They were borrowed for exhibition somewhere in the Country.

I observe that you are Trustee of a newly formed photographic Company and therefore I beg to send you the following <memorandum?> –

As I presume the Photogr^c Assocⁿ contemplates extensive operations and are <sic> not yet in possession of all the premises, workshops, &c &c which they require – I beg to inform them that I wish to dispose of a freehold house at Kensal Green 3 miles from Regent Street which is fitted up specially for photography and has been so used about 5 years – I will guarantee the title to the property. There is space for any further requisite buildings – I will communicate any further particulars you may require, if I understand that the offer is likely to suit the association.

At the same time I will mention that one of the first photographers in Regent S^t informs me that he wishes to dispose of the lease goodwill and whole photographic stock in trade of his establishment, as he contemplates leaving England and fixing himself as a photographer in Lisbon. If this information can be of use to your association, I shall be glad to hear it & to be of any further use.

Believe me D^r Sir Yours very truly

H. F. Talbot