Y^e import^t exp^ttried yest^dy at y^e RI succ^d perf^y – A printd paper was fast^d to a disk w^ch was then made to rev^lv as rap^y as poss. Y^e batt^y was disch^gd, & it was found that this mom^ty flash was suffic^ly vivid to on open^g y^e Cam^a it was found to have rec^d an impressⁿ – The image of y^ee disk had been motionless. – I am not aware of this exp^t having ever been made before, w^ch demonstrates y^e possibility of y^e that truly instant ^s photographic portraiture representation. I sh^d be hap^y to repeat it in y^e presence of y^e members of ye RI & other some of our scientific men friends, but I wish first to obtain effects on a greater scale of developm^t & ∴ I would should be v^y glad if you would devise means of augmentg y^e brilliancy of the flash. Two methods occur to me w^ch I submit to your judgment. (1) Prof^ssr Hare of America says that if a flat^<1> coil of copper ribbons is placed in y^e circuit, the spark f^m a Ley^d jar is greatly inc^d in brilliancy. Supposing this to be equally true of a <illegible deletion> battery, w^d it not be desirable to adopt it? printed letters was just as sharp as if y

(2) if the battery discharge were taken thro’ a tube lined with spirally with pieces of tinfoil, (one of w^ch is at y^e R. Instⁿ) would not the total effect of these num^s sparks light up the room more than the single discharge does?

If an a truly instant^s photographic represⁿof an object has never been obtained before (as I imagine that it has not) I am glad that it sh^d have been first accomplished at the R Instⁿ

Bel

<letter as sent>

Lacock Abbey, Chippenham

Dear Sir

The important experiment tried yesterday at the Royal Inst^n<2>e Camera it was found to have received an impression. The image of the printed letters was just as sharp as if the disk had been motionless. I am not aware of this experiment having ever been made before – succeeded perfectly. A printed paper was fastened to a disk, which was then made to revolve as rapidly as possible. The battery was discharged, and on opening y

I should be happy to repeat it in the presence of some of our Scientific friends, but I wish first to obtain effects on a greater scale of development and therefore I should be very glad if you would devise means of augmenting the brilliancy of the flash. Two methods occur to me which I submit to your judgment. (1) Professor Hare^<3> of America says that if a flat coil of copper ribbons is placed in the circuit the spark from a Leyden jar is greatly increased in brilliancy. Supposing this to be equally true of a battery, would it not be desirable to adopt it?

(2) if the battery discharge were taken thro’ a tube lined spirally with pieces of tinfoil (one of which is at the R. Instⁿ) would not the total effect of these numerous sparks light up the room more than the single discharge does?

Believe me
Dear Sir
Ever Truly Yours

H. F. Talbot

1. ‘flat’ added to the text later.

2. Royal Institution, London.

3. Robert Hare (1751–1858), Professor of Chemistry at University of Pennsylvania. [See DSB].