Mr C. F. Talbot [sic]
à Londres
Paris
le 3 Aout 1843
8 rue Favart
Mon cher Monsieur
J’ai l’honneur de vous transmettre ci incluse la facture d’une vente <1> qui a été faite, hier, par Mr Chaulin à Mr F. Bigard d’un certain nombre de feuilles de papier Photogenes <2> & dessins calotypes, <3> qui me parait suffire pour constater la mise en activité de votre brevet.
Recevez, Monsieur, la nouvelle assurance de mes sentimens distingués.
H. Truffaut
Monsieur
Monsr H. F. Talbot
31 Sackville Street <4>
Londres
Translation:
Mr C. F. Talbot [sic]
London
Paris
3 August 1843
8 rue Favart
My dear Sir
I have the pleasure of forwarding the enclosed bill of sale for a number of sheets of Photogenic paper & calotype drawings which Mr Chaulin sold yesterday to Mr F. Bigard. This appears to me sufficient to establish the use of your patent.
Accept, Sir, my sincere regards
H. Truffaut
Mr H. F. Talbot
31 Sackville Street
Londres
Notes:
1. This is in the Fox Talbot Collection, the British Library, 25982.
2. This Greek-derived term for ‘photogenic’ is an unusual use of the word, and it is unclear whether Truffaut meant it as a proprietary name for prepared paper or not.
3. These items were sold to Mr Chaulin, papermaker to the King, by Amélina Petit De Billier, ‘Mamie’, ‘Amandier’ (1798–1876), governess and later close friend of the Talbot family [See Amélina's journal ], according to her letter to WHFT, Doc. No: 04866.
4. 31 Sackville Street, London residence of the Feildings, often used as a London base by WHFT.