TALBOT4920

Temple Row West
Birmingham
Jan^y 19^th /44

W. H. F. Talbot Esq^re

Sir,

In a course of lectures on photography which I am about to deliver at the Philosophical Institution in this town (of the syllabus of which I enclose a proof)¹ I am desirous of illustrating your interesting calotype process by taking the picture of a bust in the lecture room; the object for which I address you is to ask your permission to do or should you not think it incompatible with your interest. Soon after the publication of your process I experimented thereon and produced some tolerable specimens (which however I destroyed) and I flatter myself that your process would not suffer in my hands. I shall also be particularly obliged if you will give me the name and address of some party licensed to practice your invention from whom I can procure specimens. The whole of the specimens I made are destroyed and even with your permission to practice your invention I should be unable to procure good ones (views of course I mean) owing to the season of the year. A friend of mine in London called some time ago on Mr Collen ² from whom I expect to be able to procure some portraits but I believe his specimens are confined to portraits.

I remain Sir, Your obedient Servt
George Shaw