TALBOT5978

N^o 27 University Ter^s[?] - Gower Street London
20^th July 1847

The Count de Werdinsky presents his compts to M^r Talbot & having read in the Newspapers that M^r Talbot has taken out a patent for the employment of Gun Cotton as a motive power, the Count is anxious to communicate with M^r Talbot on the subject; ¹ as the Count has purchased the greatest share of a patent, ² taken out by Sir James Caleb Anderson ³ of Buttevant Castle ⁴, as far back as 29^th July 1846 & specified on the 29^th X^{ber 5} of the same year, wherein the use of Gun Cotton as motive power, is made the chief priviledge [sic], & the proper way of bringing the invention in general use is now occupying the Count's whole Time & thoughts, as will apper [sic] from the advertis[e]ment headed "Princely Fortune" in Saturdays " Times ⁶" part of which the Count begs to transmit for M^r Talbots perusal. ⁷

Should M^r Talbot honor the Count with an early reply, some arrangement might be entered into by which M^r Talbot's patent might be amalgamated with that of Sir James Anderson, and the advantages likely to accrue therefrom be participated [sic] by both parties.

W^m Hn^y Fox Talbot Esq^re
Lacock Abbey
Chippenham
Wiltshire
Athenæum Club ⁸
London