To R. F. Cooke   8 May 1871

My dear Sir

I should be much obliged if you c^d get an estimate of the cost of printing photographs by the processes which you named to me, to illustrate my book on expression & gestures.¹ If the cost is not greatly increased by giving 2, 3 or 4 photos on one plate, the printing process w^d be better than wood cuts, as I sh^d like to give several drawings of each expression. I enclose 4 photos such as I sh^d require though I do not know whether these actual ones will be given.² I wish for an estimate of the cost of one of these figures, & of 2 on the same plate not folded; & again, of 3 or 4 figures on a plate once folded.³

W^d it make any difference to give 5 or 6 heads of infants on a plate of the same size as above.⁴

The estimate sh^d be for 1000 copies, though I suppose we sh^d want 2000 of each plate, & probably some 1000^s for foreign editions.⁵ I sh^d require to know whether the estimate includes paper. I sh^d be able to supply negatives; so that their cost need not be included.

My book w^d be of the size of the descent of man; please to specify the proper way of notifying this size.

How can the plates & figures be numbered?

The worst objection which I have heard against the printing processes is that the plates are turned out of very unequal merit.

My dear Sir | yours faithfully | Ch. Darwin

P.S Be so good as to return the photographs.