link to Talbot Project home page link to De Montfort University home page link to Glasgow University home page
Project Director: Professor Larry J Schaaf
 

Back to the letter search >

Result number 48 of 65:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 5944
Date: 15 May 1847
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: JONES Calvert Richard
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA47-48
Last updated: 10th October 2012

Veranda.
May 15th
1847.

Dear Sir,

I was sorry not to see you before I left town, as I might possibly have been of use in suggesting some points had we talked more together about the Regent st establishment: <1> it also grieved me to be obliged to leave before it came into operation, as I was very anxious to see how it worked.

I called in Mansfield Stt <2> 5 minutes after you left; as I wanted my coloured copies; the Dean of Westminster <3> having kindly obtained the means of having them shewn to the Queen, not seeing them on the table with the others, I opened the press where your servant told me the copies were kept, and luckily they were before my eyes, I shd not have taken leave to do this, but for the urgency of the occasion; and my natural anxiety to have them so honoured; and the Dean wished to have them that evening (which however the departure of the Court for Osborne rendered as we afterwards found unnecessary) when the Queen has seen them I begged the Dean to send them to Henneman. <4>

My friend Sir H. Delabeche <5> had previously caused them to be shewn to Sir R. Peel, <6> (whose high admiration of them I have recorded in a note) to the Duke of Wellington, <7> and the Duchess of Sutherland: <8> since which my old master J. D. Harding <9> has had a long inspection of them and expressed himself as perfectly charmed; he was also kind enough to compliment me most highly on my power of colour, of which coming as it does from our first Water colour painter, I am very proud. It is very disagreable [sic] to record our own praise, and I only mention these things to prove that my efforts have been successful, and to prove that I have not offered you unworthy things; my advice to you is that nothing mediocre shd be exhibited, as it will only throw discredit on your beautiful discovery.

If you like to take mine at the prices I first mentioned you are welcome to them, and to as many others as I can conveniently do, which I fear will not be a great many, as I shall be much engaged in the management of my property: if you do not like to have them, will you desire Henneman to send them to Sir H. Delabeche in Craig’s Court.

I strongly advise you to retain the services of a really good Artist for the miniature department, as almost every one of these may be much heightened by a very little really judicious management, it however requires great judgment and talent to do this well, and I am sure that such a person cd learn by a little practise how to do great service to the negatives which wd eventually be a great saving to you.

The sum of my counsel is do not let any one who has not a high knowledge of art touch a Negative or Positive of your production.

I think the plan of sending round circulars to the proper people inviting them to inspect the establishment <10> before it opens, is highly advisable, if not essential.

Mr Ross <11> the Optician told me that he understood, if £ 25 worth of paper were ordered, that certain manufacturers wd guarantee a supply equal to any sample given to them. If I can give you any assistance or advice by letter pray let me know, and believe me

yours very truly
Calvert R. Jones.

I left a parcel of negatives large and small which I have done for you at different times; if you like to take them I shall be glad to dispose of them

Notes:

1. 122 Regent Street, London: base of Nicolaas Hennemans’ Talbotype or Sun Picture Rooms, later the firm of Henneman & Malone, photographers to the Queen.

2. 2 Mansfield Street, town residence of WHFT since February 1847.

3. William Buckland (1784–1856), geologist at Oxford University, who was appointed Dean of Westminster 1845.

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

5. Sir Henry Thomas De La Beche (1796–1855), English geologist, who did extensive geological studies in south-west England.

6. Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850), former Prime Minister.

7. Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington (1769–1852), was in command of the forces which defeated Napoleon.

8. Lady Harriet Elizabeth Georgiana Howard, Duchess of Sutherland (d. 1868).

9. James Duffield Harding (1797–1863), painter, writer on art theory and teacher of among others John Ruskin and Jones himself.

10. 122 Regent Street, London: base of Nicolaas Hennemans’ Talbotype or Sun Picture Rooms, later the firm of Henneman & Malone, photographers to the Queen.

11. Andrew Ross (1798–1859), London optician & author.

Result number 48 of 65:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >