Early British Photography Interest c.1901-1910

A fascinating four-sided letter from Thereza Charlotte Story-Maskelyne (1863-1941) to Lady Caroline Julia Dillwyn Llewelyn (1839-1917) describing Nevil Story Maskelyne's (1823-1911) first experience of daguerreotypes arriving in Britain, and his acquisition of one plate, sent by Louis Daguerre (1787-1851) to Antoine François Jean Claudet (1797-1867) Regent's Street studio, with a basic description of the process and the plate Maskelyne purchased. The letter goes on to mention copies of William Henry Fox Talbot's (1800-1877) Pencil of Nature, with some concern's raised for the care of the collection at Lacock.

Dearest Julia,

The Daguerreotype which I told Tom (?) Franklin about, is the first unpacked in England in a consignment lent over from Paris to Claudet (at least, I think that was his name). It was in very early days of photography before any photographs were prints. A Daguerreotype was made on a sheet of silver – it is a negative & positive in one. My father knew that Daguerre had sent them to London (to I think Claudet in Regent St.) and he was greatly excited about the work – and went there to try and get a specimen.
He was present when the case was opened & bought a specimen on the spot. It is a large picture of the Paris bridges & Seine.
It used in days very long ago to live in a cupboard, facing the fireplace in the old drawing room, & must have been moved from there years ago.
His only one out of the box full that arrived – but was the first unpacked in England from Daguerre.
I have been getting some very interesting quite early history of photography for Tom (?) & I think we may all benefit by his putting it into popular shape.
There used to be some early copies of Mr Fox Talbot’s “Pencil of Nature: in the same cupboard. I am trying to get some facts from Lacock but I fear Charles Talbot’s mind runs on other things & that he cannot find many treasures existing there.
I hope you have our John’s answer by now. Your letter followed him to London where he had two days with his mother before coming here.

Much love from your attentive sister,

Thereza Maskelyne