TALBOT6956

Sir J. Herschel

Athenæum Club ¹
May 15/54

D^r Sir

Would you have any objection to give me your valuable assistance in an affair of considerable importance to me? The case is this. 2 years ago I presented my invention called the Calotype or Talbotype to the Public, ² reserving to myself a single branch of it (the taking portraits for sale) in order to recover if possible the money spent upon the invention in various ways.

But a knot of photographers in Regent S^t and elsewhere have conspired together to upset my patent. The case ³ comes on for argument in the Court of Chancery in a few days, when affidavits will probably be made by the opposite side that I am not the inventor of the Art, or that at any rate my invention was imperfect & of no utility &c &c &c.

I am advised that 2 or 3 affidavits made by persons of high scientific eminence would outweigh in the mind of the Vice Chancellor a host of affidavits made by obscure persons who speak with little or no authority on the subject. I have therefore asked Sir D. Brewster & Prof^r Wheatstone ⁴ to make affidavits in my favour which they have kindly consented to do, & if you have no objection to do the same I shall consider my case as established.

I may mention that it would only be necessary for you to call at the office of my solicitor in Lincolns Inn at any hour of the day between 10 and 6 on Friday or Saturday next and sign the affidavit which I hope would not be giving you too much trouble.

But since of course you would like to know first, the contents of the document, I would send you a draught of it previously – It would state that you believe me to be the inventor of the Calotype or Talbotype process, & that you are acquainted with the principles of the Collodion process, which for reasons assigned, you consider to involve the same scientific & photographic principles as mine, and to conduct to the same result finally, viz. to a positive photograph on paper.

Excuse this trouble, & believe me Ever truly yours
H. F. Talbot