Description:

Henry Fox Talbot ALS Giving Advice on Newly Patented Photographic Process

An autograph letter signed by Henry Fox Talbot, 1p (front and back), measuring 4.5" x 7.25", Lacock, England, dated November 19, n.y. [1858]. Signed "H. F. Talbot" and addressed to Messrs Harper & Sutton. Talbot writes a terse note concerning a failed photographic experiment, writing "if instead of 2 1/2 hours you had given your plate one minute sun you would probably have succeeded. You will find my description of the process correct, as far as I could make it. I enclose a few trifling specimens of which I request your acceptance…" The letter has been mounted along the left vertical edge to a slightly larger sheet, measuring 5" x 9.75" overall, along with a newspaper clipping. With flattened mail folds, light toning, and some spots of soiling. Boldly signed.

In 1858, Henry Talbot patented a process he called photoglyphic engraving. Chemists Harper & Sutton had written to Talbot asking for advice relating to their own attempts at using this process. Their letter, dated November 17, reads as follows:

"Sir, We trust you will not think us troublesome if we ask you a question relating to the engraving process patented by you and some prints from which were published in the Photo News last week – We have been trying some plates for amusement but can only partially succeed. This day, we exposed one of Ferrier’s transparent positives upon the carefully prepared copper plate for 2½ hours the actinic power being slow, about one half hour was bright sunshine – the picture was slightly visible when taken out of the frame – it was then dusted over with fine resin smelted (not being able previously to get a nice coating of copal upon a plate we tried) and the various solutions as recommended in the specification applied – we obtained here & there black spots etched into the plate but only a very faint etching of the picture, so faint as to be scarcely perceptible Will you be good enough to inform us whether the fault was owing to insufficient exposure, or to anything wrong about the coat of resin – We feel sure the solutions No 1. 2. 3 were right enough as they were prepared very carefully – and were successively tried for nearly an hour. We are Sir Yours most respy, Harper & Sutton"

William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) was an English scientist, inventor, and photography pioneer who invented the salted paper and calotype processes. His work in the 1840s on photomechanical reproduction led to the creation of the photoglyphic engraving process, the precursor to photogravure. Talbot was elected to the Royal Society at the age of 31 for his work on integral calculus and proceeded to conduct research on a wide variety of topics, including optics, chemistry, electricity, etymology, and ancient history.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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