Reading <1>
June 10/45
Sir,
I beg to acknowledge the R/c of half a Cheque for £50. I would have sent you the copies today but from the fineness of the weather have been busy with others but will endeavour to forward them tomorrow,
I remain, Sir, Your obedt Servt
N. Henneman
to
H F. Talbot Esq
Laycock Abbey.
[envelope:]
H. F. Talbot Esq.
31, Sackville St.
London
Notes:
1. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), born in Holland and trained in Paris, was WHFT’s valet who emerged as his assistant in photography. Henneman set up his Calotype works at 8 Russell Terrace, Reading. Commencing operations at the start of 1844, it functioned both as a photographic studio and as a photographic printing works and continued through late 1846, at which time Henneman transferred his operations to London. Although Talbot supported Henneman through custom, such as printing the plates for The Pencil of Nature, and loans, it was always Henneman's operation. His business cards made no mention of "The Reading Establishment," the designation that it is popularly given today; the only contemporary use of that title seemed to be by Benjamin Cowderoy - see Doc. No: 05690 - and in Henneman's initial correspondence with WHFT.