Talbot, William Henry Fox, and Mundy family

Oblong folio (238 x 297mm.), PHOTOGENIC DRAWING NEGATIVE OF A FERN BY HENRY FOX TALBOT, photograph of a print (very faint) SIGNED WITH INITIALS AND DATED "H.F.T., 1839", and approximately 28 drawings and watercolours by members of the Mundy family and others, a few prints, each mounted on thick paper, contemporary red half morocco, marbled boards, some drawings removed, some spotting, binding rubbed

E.M., initials in ink on upper pastedown

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

AN EARLY PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGE OF A FERN BY FOX TALBOT, INVENTOR OF THE SALTED PAPER AND CALOTYPE PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSES. Talbot called his first photographs 'photogenic drawings', which were sun prints, made by placing an object - such as a fern - onto a sheet of paper coated with light-sensitive silver chloride. The fern was pressed between a sheet of glass and the sensitised paper in a printing frame and left in the sun to develop.

Talbot (1800-1877) married Constance Mundy (1811-80) of Markeaton, Derbyshire on 20 December 1832. This album contains drawings or watercolours apparently by Constance (3) and her siblings, including Marian, (1), Laura (5), and Emily (2), together with two by W.H. Sitwell, and others by unidentified persons signed with initials "F.W.M.", "G.W.R.", "H.N. 1834", "W.E.A.S.", "F.B.N.", and "R.H.".

Sotheby's is grateful to Professor Larry J. Schaaf, Director of the William Henry Fox Talbot Catalogue Raisonné, for his assistance in cataloguing this lot.

The drawings and watercolours include:

"Eashing near Godalming, Surrey" by Laura

A flower by Emily

"Wheston, Derbyshire" by Marian

Pencil and colour sketch of a child's head by Constance

"Making love in Spain"

"Willersley Castle, Derbyshire" by Laura

"Matlock High Tor" by Laura

"Cefalu" [Sicily?] by Laura

"Hodsock Priory" (lithograph)

Pencil sketch of elephant and hunter being attacked (?after Charles D'Oyly) by "F.W.M."

Pen and ink sketch of "Sir Henry and Miss E. Mundy dancing at [ ?]. Maria and Fanny behind." by "G.W.R. 10 years old"

Pen and ink drawing of stags by "H.M."