Royal Polytechnic Insn
May 25th 1853
To H F Talbot Esqr
Sir
I beg you will pardon my remissnes [sic] in acknowledging the receipt of the very beautiful photographic etchings from steel plates which you did me the honour to send some days since.<1> I have arranged to have them placed for exhibition in the Institution;<2> many persons having inquired about them. It is with some reluctance that I give them out of my own hands as it deprives me of the pleasure of shewing them in my visits among friends & acquaintances. Should you, after supplying those to whom you wish to give, have a surplus, I should esteem it a great favour to have a set for my own private gratification.
I was very pleased at receiving the set which I have transferred to the Instn & should like very much to repeat your experiment should you at any time have leisure to send me a few notes for guidance. You may remember I have some experience in one of the etching processes alluded to in your communication to the Athenĉum <3> I will take the liberty of writing shortly to tell you the result of some experiments & to acquaint you with my arrangements at the Polytechnic
I now wish to save the post.
I have the honour to be Sir Your faithful Sert
T A. Malone.
[envelope:]
H F. Talbot Esqr
Lacock Abbey
Nr. Chippenham
Wilts
Notes:
1. This was WHFT's newly-patented Photographic Engraving process, a pioneering method of photogravure.
2. The Royal Polytechnic Institution for the Advancement of the Arts and Practical Science, 309 Regent Street, London, founded in 1838.
3. WHFT, 'Photographic Engraving', The Athenĉum, no. 1328, 9 April 1853, p. 450. For the complete text of this, see Doc. No: 06749.