June 20. 45 –

Sir

Having it in contemplation to publish a small work on Photography principally for the benefit of my own acquaintances, I have thought it better to take the liberty of writing to you than to risk doing an unhandsome much more an illegal act. My process is extremely simple & cheap & does not involve the use of Iodide of Silver. Still, as I use galls to bring out my picture I suspect that the sale of them may involve an infringement of your patent. I shall therefore feel particularly obliged if you will inform me whether I am at liberty

1^st To publish the Description of a process in which galls are employed
2^nd To accompany the book with specimens
3^rd To supply other specimens if they should be required.

I take the liberty of enclosing a small sample – not as being a very good one but merely to shew the kind of negative my process gives.

With every apology for thus troubling a gentleman with whom I have not the honor of acquaintance

I am Sir y^r most obed^t Serv^t
J. Purvis.

My address is
Rev^d J. Purvis
Deytheur House
Oswestry

Shropshire

[address panel:]
Henry Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Wiltshire
[readdressed in another hand:]
32 Sussex Gardens
Hyde Park
London
prepaid