2 Upper Hornsey Rise N.
Middlesex. 21st Jany 59
Sir.
Your communication of 19th Inst to Mr Greenwood has been forwarded by him to me. – I was not in the least aware of any patent being in existence that interfered with M. Pretsch’s right to publish plates by his process, or should most certainly not have undertaken anything in connection with the matter without previously obtaining the requisite sanction. I am much obliged for the courteous manner in which you have dealt with what must have appeared as an unwarrantable infringement of your rights, and for the intimation you are good enough to give, to the effect that your sanction will if sought, not be witheld [sic] – I have now then to state that the plates are ready for publication; that as no charge whatever is proposed to be made for them; nothing but the advance of the photographic art is sought for – the special object being to shew the possibility of the economical application of photography to illustration – May I then request that you will kindly accord the permission desired to issue the illustrations in question, which permission if granted I shall of course publicly acknowledge As the time for publication of our next is near at hand an early reply will very much oblige
Your very obedt Sert
Geo: Shadbolt
Honble H Fox Talbot
[envelope:]
The Honble. Henry Fox Talbot
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham