H Fox Talbot <1>
R Hunt Esq
H. Fox Talbot, photographer <2>
Lacock 29 Jany 52
Dr Sir
I shall be happy to contribute anything in my power to the Museum of Geology but I hardly understand what is desired and therefore I will call on you on my return to Town. I have given away my last specimens and therefore any others would have to be made on purpose which would naturally take some time, the present season of the year be unsuitable.<3>
I remain Yours very truly
H F Talbot
As illustrations of your lecture Mr Henneman of 122 Regent St would be happy to lend a series of specimens-<4>
Notes:
1. Added in another hand, in ink, on overleaf.
2. Inserted in yet another hand, in pencil.
3. WHFT still had many examples of photography, so this reference must be to his recently introduced photogravure process, photographic engraving. Ample sunlight was required to expose the printing plate.
4. Nicolaas Henneman (1813-1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT's valet, then assistant; photographer; opened calotype printing studio in Reading in 1843 and transferred to London in 1848. The illustrations were needed for a lecture series in London's Museum of Practical Geology, intended 'for working men, illustrative of the collections in the museum'. Hunt lectured on 'Photography and its Applications'.