Veranda.
Augst 16th
My dear Sir,
The name of the Malta bookseller is Muir. <1> I wish you wd give me your receipt for doing double sized pictures in 5 seconds, as I wd produce beautiful things. I think you underate [sic] the flattering powers of the Talbotype <2> as I do not see why its likenesses shd not be as pleasing as Daguerreotype <3> ones which persons go daily in flocks to have done.
I do not like to let your poor Cousin <4> have a solitary day at his launch, which takes place tomorrow week, and think of running up to it, would you perhaps do the same thing, I remember you assisted on a similar occasion 21 yrs since. <5>
I wd bring the remainder of my Negatives to shew you or, if I shd go, wd it be more convenient to meet me elsewhere?
Do not mention my idea as I shd wish it to be a surprise.
Yours very truly
Calvert R. Jones.
Notes:
1. Probably George Muir Jnr. (1813–1868), bookseller in Malta.
2. Although WHFT modestly used the term calotype, Jones and other loyal supporters honoured him by calling these Talbotypes, in parallel with the term Daguerreotype.
3. Through most of the 1840s, Daguerreotype portraits were quite successful while those on paper struggled to gain a market. Jones was familiar with both, having started in Daguerreotypy before adopting WHFT's paper-based processes.
4. Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot (1803–1890), immensely wealthy landowner, mathematician & politician; WHFT’s Welsh cousin.
5. The launch of the ‘Galatea’ in 1825. [See Doc. No: 01269].