London
20 Febr. 1856.
Sir!
An eminent bookseller of Germany, which is my native country, has requested me, to publish in a book on photography the results of my long practice and experience in this department for a country which with regard to this important art is not yet on a par with England and France. I have agreed to his proposition and my manuscript will in a few days be sent to Leipzig. I have considered it a conscientious duty on this occasion to remind my countrymen of the sacred debt of gratitude which they owe to your name as that of the author of that branch of photography which admits of multiplication and which alone has rendered this discovery available for the purposes of the fine arts, of science and of industry. I shall therefore consider it a great favour and even as the greatest reward of my exertions in this direction, if I were kindly permitted respectfully to dedicate my book to you as the learned and admired author of genuine photography. I beg to state at the same time that no collateral interested views of any description are connected with this respectful request, which is a pure issue of my sincere admiration.
I have the honour to remain, Sir, your obedient servant
Dr. G. Franck
Pr Adresse.
Doctor G. Franck
care of Mr Fr: Thimm,
bookseller, 3 Brook Str.
Grosvenor Sqre.