Lacock Abbey

April 16. 1873

My Dear Sir

The little specimen, a direct positive, by Niepce de S. Victor was not made by any process known to me

It is peculiar, in not being sharp, but apparently half washed out, indicating some lengthened immersion in water.

I have made many direct positives, in the Camera, they have a character of their own.

The ordinary method, working a blackened paper with iodide of potassium, is too slow for the Camera – The method I followed, which I published some years ago, was to expose sensitive papers to the light for a small fraction of a second – It was thus virtually darkened, though it remained white to the eye. It was then washd with weak solution of iodide potassium, and placed in the camera: removed, and developed in the ordinary way. The picture comes out positive –

The views of the Great Exhibition which you mention p. 206 were made on albuminised glass by Ferrier of Paris for who afterwards became so distinguished a photographer –

I remain Yours very truly

H. F. Talbot

I return the photograph of the Emperor Napoleon.

J Spiller Esq