Lacock
March 23/52
Dr Sir
I still think there is no necessity for your making fresh experiments on the art of photographic portraiture The present methods answer perfectly when skillfully performed – I cannot accept a percentage on the profits, I never make any arrangement of that kind– A portrait painter from Manchester has a license from me which appears to me very similar to what you wish. It is to take portraits of his sitters for his assistance in his art. The photograph enables him to dispense with more than one sitting– The price of this license was a hundred pounds I could give you one for that price, or if preferred an annual license at £20 per annum. It is well known that the positives on paper admit of being coloured as miniatures– Many specimens may be seen at Mr Henneman’s, <1> 122 Regent St but the result is wholly dependent on the skill of the miniature painter. I prefer the untouched photograph but I know that the public prefer the coloured.
I remain Yours very truly
H.F. Talbot
Notes:
1. Nicolaas Henneman (1813–1898), Dutch, active in England; WHFT’s valet, then assistant; photographer.