[stamped address and date:]
Society of Arts
Adelphi
London
6 Dec. 1852
Sir
I am desired by the Council of the Society of Arts to inform you that they have determined on holding an Exhibition of Photographic Art, as a means of drawing attention to the present state of the art, and with a view to its further improvement.
The Council desire me to express to you the high satisfaction with which they learnt the course you recently pursued respecting your Patent rights; and before inviting any other contributors to the Exhibition they instructed me to write to you and ask the favour of your allowing them to exhibit such specimens of Photography as you may be disposed to entrust to them for this purpose.
In the event of your kindly complying with this request, may I beg the favour of your sending them to me here by the 18th inst. The Exhibition will open on the 22nd and will probably remain open about three weeks.
I have the honour to be Sir Your very obedt Servt
Edward Solly
Sec
[envelope:]
W. H. Fox Talbot Esqe F.R.S.
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
W H Fox Talbot Esq F.R.S.
etc. etc. etc.