TALBOT9417

84, rue Bonaparte
Paris – 5 7^bre 1868

Sir

A thousand pardons if I take the liberty of addressing the present to you. – At the Great Exhibition of 1851 I had the pleasure & honour of being introduced to & making your personal Acquaintance, & at the same time you were kind enough to address a Letter to me which has always been precious to me & kept as such–¹

I am desirous of engraving on Steel by means of the Talbotype – looking upon it as Certain that in a short time everything in the shape of impression will be done with printers black, inasmuch as everything that is now done, particularly on albumenous paper [illegible deletion] does not last–²

Having consulted & examined with attention all the systems of engraving by light on Metals, I have found that your basis of Bichromate of Potasse is without doubt the best, & everybody who now occupies himself, whether with heliographie on Metal – or on stone takes for basis your pos process – the Bichromate of Potash is invariably preferred to the Judah Pitch indicated by M^r N Niepce. ³ –

If, since your communication to the Institute,⁴ you have made any fresh researches as to the mode of proceeding on Steel, and have obtained favourable improvements, I I trust you will not deem me indiscreet if I beg you to make them known to me – you will do me the greatest possible pleasure, for it is on Steel & with your process that I wish to make my trials –

It is a pity that the “Mordant” which you indicate as the only one suitable is so high in price.–⁵ Your kind advice will be very precious to me & most gratefully acknowledged. – Pray accept the assurance of my highest esteem

Martens
Artiste