TALBOT8366

3, Guildford Place, Russel [sic] Square
W.C. London
April 12^th 1861

Sir,

I have received the two blocks returned, and I am very much pleased, to perceive that you see some promising consequences for the future. - The six prints, sent to you, I beg to keep, and to accept them. -

I expect with great pleasure the copy of Strassburg Cathedral, done by your photoglyphic process. ¹ My block of the same object has been accidentally done in the reversed position, because it has been photographed from a reversed copy, done from a photograph taken from nature. - My process of producing blocks never reverses an original, as you see for instance in "Fountains Abbey," and in "Priory at Hampstead," which have been done from the very same photographs, taken from nature.

I take advantage of the present opportunity to forward to you another parcel with nine specimens of my first process, with my humble request to favour me with their acceptance. They are all touched by the engraver; - "Brace of birds," "Monk," and the three landscapes I consider judiciously touched; - "Strassbourg Cathedral" (reversed) is too much touched, although we have paid only £6.10.0 to the engraver; - all the lines have been in the plate but he repeated them by the roulette which causes the handwork to be too much visible. However I can assure you that the real beautiful portions of the plate have not been done by the graver; - the hand of man is too poor to do such a thing. - "Rheims Cathedral" is very little touched; in fact only a few dark spots increased, and some dirt in a few places cleaned off. - "Virgin in marble" has been only cleaned. - I enclose also the copy of a pen & ink drawing, on whose copy the artist himself recognised every line done by himself. The impression at hand is rather a little weak. - I have still many plates more, the impressions of which I would like to show you if you come to town.

During the existence of the late company ² I have been so tied up by legal proceedings that I could not act at my liberty. However now permit me the sincere assurance that it will not be my fault, if our relations in future do not become more satisfactory. If you will assist the present enterprise ³ by some of your influence there is not the slightest doubt that a great deal can be done by these processes, and they will speedily form - by careful working and future improvements - quite a new feature in arts, due to the progress of civilisation in this country.

Permit me to remain Sir your very obedt. Servt
Paul Pretsch

H. F. Talbot Esq.