Lincoln’s Inn
27 August 1842
W. H. F. Talbot Esq
Dr. Sir
You have a Caveat which will entitle you to notice of any application for a Patent <1> for Covering metals – so long as there is no application you can safely deelay <sic> the sending of your Patent, presuming of course that the invention does not become publicly known – You have priority in your application & should another Patent be applied for you can seal yours in about <illegible deletion> 8 or 9 days – If you introduce further inventions into your Patent, we think Mr Solicitor will require fresh notice to be given, if as other parties who have caveats may be inclined to enter opposition in the further invention even if Mr Elkingtons party would be satisfied with your undertaking. We will of course make application to Mr Solicitor Genl to allow the additional matter without fresh notice if you wish it when you determine upon proceeding with the Patent – Mr Sol. Gen. kept the copies of your Specn which you left with him.
We are Yr. Ob Serv
Poole & Carpmael
P.S. What do you wish us to do with the engrossed copies of licence “Talbot lithum” Shall we send them to Mr Hunt <2> for signature or forward them to you
Notes:
1. WHFT took a patent entitled ‘Coating or covering metals with other metals’, U.K. number 9528, 25 November 1842.
2. Robert Hunt (1807–1887), scientist & photographic historian.