The Pencil of Nature
The Pencil of Nature, issued in six parts between 1844 and 1846, was the first book to be illustrated with photographs offered for sale, and its author, William Henry Fox Talbot, had invented the process that made it possible. In introductory remarks and a historical sketch Talbot explains how he came to photogenic drawing and the calotype, and then describes each of the twenty-four plates: Queen's College, Oxford, the boulevards of Paris, shelves of china and glass, a bust of Patroclus, an open door, a leaf, a library, a haystack, a ladder, his own Lacock Abbey, lace and a fruit piece, with comments on what the new art might be good for. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first chapter is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about The Pencil of Nature
The Pencil of Nature by William Henry Fox Talbot can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read The Pencil of Nature online?
Yes. The Pencil of Nature opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is The Pencil of Nature free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of The Pencil of Nature is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is The Pencil of Nature in the public domain?
Yes. The Pencil of Nature by William Henry Fox Talbot is a public-domain work. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read The Pencil of Nature?
About 37 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is The Pencil of Nature?
The Pencil of Nature by William Henry Fox Talbot is filed under "Classics" in the Vinteuil library.
