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Document number: 5673
Date: 09 Jun 1846
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: JONES Calvert Richard
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA46-076
Last updated: 1st September 2003

Veranda.
Swansea.

June 9. 1846.

My dear Sir,

During my stay of a few hours in London, I called in Sackville Stt <1> on Saturday last, and was much disappointed at not seeing you, as you are still in England.

The latter part of our journey from Italy was extremely hurried, from unavailing efforts to see our poor friend Colonel Jones <2> alive.

If Henneman <3> has made copies of all the negatives which I sent home, I shall be much obliged if you will order me copies of them all, being naturally very anxious to see them.

I have nearly 100 large, and nearly about 20 small negatives, all highly interesting, done in Malta Sicily, Naples (a series at Pompeii) Rome and Venice, most of them are wonderfully perfect and beautiful; and in all I have endeavoured to follow your advice in overdoing them, so that I doubt not they will come out extremely well.

I cannot help thinking that the whole series (including what I sent home from Malta) are worth something considerable, and as circumstances have arisen, which will, I fear, cause extraneous claims on my present narrow means, I shd be very glad to concert with you some plan, by which I could make the art I am so fond of, repay me the trouble it occasions, either by your giving me so much for negatives or by allowing me to sell a certain number of copies.

As for Malta, it will afford an unceasing market for views done there, from the everlasting succession of travellers, and the continually shifting garrison and fleet: Rome also and Naples would afford a constant demand.

The best artists, to whom I have shewn specimens, have been perfectly enchanted, especially with details and foregrounds and as nature is infinite, so is the supply which I could furnish: the great point being to select the proper subjects from a proper position.

I shall be extremely obliged if you will write me a few lines as soon as you can conveniently, since if I cannot make some arrangement with you concerning Photography, I shall be obliged to turn my thoughts to something else “my Poverty and not my will consents”

yours very truly

Calvert R Jones Jnr

We have not heard from your Cousin <4> since we left Rome, having been in constant motion Should you have any news of him, it will be most acceptable

Notes:

1. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.

2. Jones’ uncle, who was dying.

3. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT’s valet, then assistant; photographer.

4. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.

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