TALBOT6495

Lincolns Inn
28^th Oct 1851

Sir

I beg to inform you that I this yester day went to Messrs Horne & C^{o 1} who showed me the process of transferring the Picture to paper which is somewhat as follows.

A paper is first prepared of Muriate of Knighter ² (which was already prepared for the process because it was necessary it should be dry) - A solution of Ammoniacal Nitrate of Silver is then poured upon the paper which is then put into a Frame and the Glass Picture put upon it, the reverse side of the Picture being downwards the picture being tightly screwed upon the Paper. - The paper in the frame is then exposed to the Sun for about a quarter of an hour and the impression on the paper is made by the action of the Sun. - To complete the impression it is then dried with Gas light and "set" which is done by pouring suphotile of Soda ³ upon it and afterwards washed in water <.> M^r T stated that it was necessary so to wash it but did not shew this part. - I am not quite certain that I state the Chymical terms correctly but you will I hope comprehend what I intend to convey - M^r T called the process the Collodian process. ⁴ [illegible deletion] He gave me the enclosed printed instructions and [illegible deletion] told me that a perfect treatise ⁵ is expected to be out in a week or two. - They do not make a positive picture direct upon paper but only by transfer

I am Sir
Your most Obd^t Serv^t
B H Hack

W. H. Fox Talbot Esq