Falmouth
March 4 – 1841
Sir
I return you many thanks for your very prompt and obliging reply – and also for those very beautiful Specimens of your new process <1> which indeed promises to realize many of my dreams –
I have just read your letters <2> in the Lity Gazette <3> – I shall be most anxious for the time to arrive when I may be myself enabled to practise the Calotype – As my circumstances render it necessary – I should employ my wits for the benefit of my family – may I enquire what sum you would require for license to use your process – so far as to enable me to prepare and sell the prepared paper, portraits, and general views – Of course I mean after publication of it –
I am Sir with much respect yours Obediently
Robt Hunt
H Fox Talbot
Notes:
1. This was WHFT's calotype process, which used a developer to bring out a latent image, much reducing exposure times.
2. Doc. No: 04191, and Doc. No: 04195.
3. The Literary Gazette and Journal of belles lettres, science and art.