link to Talbot Project home page link to De Montfort University home page link to Glasgow University home page
Project Director: Professor Larry J Schaaf
 

Back to the letter search >

Result number 8 of 10:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >  

Document number: 8866
Date: 09 Sep 1864
Recipient: TALBOT William Henry Fox
Author: TAYLOR John Traill
Collection: British Library, London, Manuscripts - Fox Talbot Collection
Collection number historic: LA64-68
Last updated: 12th February 2012

The British Journal of Photography advertisement and general business department, 2 York Street, Covent Garden London,

9 Sept. 1864

Henry Fox Talbot Esqr

Sir,

As you will see in to-day’s journal, I have given effect to your suggested alteration, or rather separation, of the dates of the production and publication of the first portrait.

The place I selected for this notice was at the head of the “Answers to Correspondents”, as I believe this to be the most prominent part of the journal. I also put it in leaded type, so that I may reasonably hope it will be read by every one who takes the Journal in hand. You will see that I have added to the present chapter, the formula by which the albumenised plates were prepared.

The latest novelty in the art, you will see noticed by me under the heading “Novelties” (in this day’s Journal). Although the specification is not published, I believe I can give you every information concerning the method by which such results are produced; and in illustration of the “glazing process” I take the liberty of enclosing you a specimen – a portrait of Mr Crookes – the a former Editor of this Journal. Now editor of the Chemical News

It is very difficult to make new discoveries in photography; and to-day I have a letter from Tunny of Edinburgh enclosing a picture which he took many months ago, and which I now remember very well he exhibited at a meeting of the Phot. Soc. of Scotland at the time. It is glazed in a similar manner to the one I now enclose.

On the supposition that you are naturally desirous of learning all the recent developments of the art created by you, I may inform you that I have to day received from Mr Sayce of Liverpool, a picture in illustration of a process communicated by him in to day’s Journal, in which a bath of Nitrate of Silver is avoided, the iodide of silver being mixed up with the collodion. The picture which he sends shows that the process is good. It is equal to the generality of pictures. For holding collodion prepared in such a way, it is obvious that the bottles will have to be constructed by orange glass.

I would have sent Sayce’s picture for your inspection, but it is really so similar in every respect to one taken in the ordinary way that it is no use in me doing so.

I am Sir Yours respectfully
J. T. Taylor

Result number 8 of 10:   < Back     Back to results list   Next >