6 Camden Terrace
Kentish Town
Decr 12. 1843
Sir,
Your letter <1> of the 9th ins I regret to find does not give me much encouragement as to my being successful in the art of taking portraits by the Calotype process in a provincial Town – I am quite aware that the style in which I take a portrait is not of that finished description which would be likely to bring me many sitters but I should not think of exhibiting such as those I sent you as perfect specimens of the art. My Camera is very bad, and it would be useless unless I can come to terms with you, to put myself to any expense to purchase better; as I do not wish to practise the art as an amusement – I flattered myself that the last pictures I sent you, were much superior to those I first troubled you with, and I cannot help feeling confidant [sic], that if my success, depends upon my taking portraits in the most finished manner (and Mr Collens <2> are to be taken as the standard) that I shall certainly be successful and raise rather than depress the reputation of the Calotype in Bristol and its neighbourhood – The sum you name is a large one to put down considering the outlay necessary in starting and waiting probably some time before the art took, and I should feel obliged by knowing whether a portion of it could not remain for a time say twelvemonths or whether you would charge the same sum for Liverpool or I had some idea of starting in Dublin – You would also oblige me by stating whether I am precluded from taking views and selling them as I should certainly wish to do – I am quite willing to agree not to sell a portrait under 5/– or a copy under 2/6 and presume you do not mean that the negative picture is ever parted with by the operator – As there are many secrets in the art I could not object to be made master of them but should the main one be that I require a good Camera I should regret paying ten guineas for that information and therefore hardly know how to act with regard to placing myself under tuition – The solutions used in making the paper sensitive are so different to your own as regards proportion and I have found it answer so well that I should regret abandoning the mode I am familiar with but there are failures that I would willingly pay £10 – to know how to prevent – I hope I may hear from you as early as possible as I am anxious to come to a final arrangement upon the subject and
I remain Sir Your Mo: obt St
Wm Sherlock
H. F. Talbot Esq.
Notes:
1. Letter not located.
2. Henry Collen (1800–1879), miniature painter, calotypist & spiritualist, London.