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As I am dictating this the Adams Express Company has turned up with the camera. You cannot imagine my surprise in opening the box and finding not only the beautiful machine but also sufficient films with which to make innumerable experiments. You shall certainly hear from me soon. The letter-carrier too has just brought me a kind note from Mr. Eastman. All I can say at present is that in looking at the camera and its makeup I feel a great delight in looking over all its parts. It is a beautiful bit of mechanism all the way through.

I wrote to you recently that some day when you are in New York you should come in and see me; take lunch with me. I am sure we can have an interesting hour together. We have not seen each other since I made such a terrific fool of myself in Philadelphia at the Convention.

With kindest regards,

Yours,

N. B. Did you notice in the last Number of "Camera Work" that I announce a series of four photographic Exhibitions, to open up the 1914-15 season at "291"?

291 Fifth Ave., New York.

May 6, 1915.

My dear Mr. Jones:

Your kind letter of the 26th ult was duly received and I started
answering it a few days ago, but was interrupted. First of all let me thank
you for your kind offer to let me have the Eastman goods as suggested.

Will you please see to it that there is sent to me as soon as possible
the following:

4 Vestpocket Kodaks with Zeiss lenses.

A leather case for each.

A portrait attachment for each, if such attachment fits the
Zeiss lens.

100 spools of films, eight exposures each.

And one developing tank for above size spools

As for the AnSCO Competition, I told the people in charge that if
the Eastman people had run such a competition it would have been a huge
success; they would have known how to tackle the job. The idea was certainly
a corking one. It was purely a case of incompetency on somebody's part that
made this competition a failure from every point of view. As it was the
judges were unusually lenient. Had we not been so lenient there would not
have been more than twenty-five prises awarded. Harrison Fisher said to me
that he had always heard that I was the strictest judge in the country, both
on photography and on painting, and that he was surprised to find me one of
the most lenient. I then asked him whether he would have had the nerve to
withhold prises if I had not been around. He smiled and frankly said "No".
There you have it, the value of judging. The withholding of the prises was
entirely due to the stand the judges took. It was impossible to find more than
forty-one pictures which could be at all considered as having any value from

291 Fifth Ave., New York.

May 11, 1915.

My dear Mr. Jones:

Thanks for your having the order filled and also for your splendid
letter. I agree that the advertising in connection with the Ansco competition,
was probably the main reason why the competition was a failure. But at the
same time I also feel that this competition can hardly be compared to the
Eastman Advertising Contests. I know of certain wonderful negatives done
of society women -- beauties: that is beautiful women -- I know that these
women would not have permitted their pictures to be submitted to an ordinary
competition -- that is a competition where the first prize would have been
$500.00 or $400.00, but a competition in which the first prize would have
been of exceptional value might have induced the women to give their permission
to have their pictures used. Now the aim of the Ansco people was to get the
best looking women in America. That at least is the way I interpreted the
idea, and so did Harrison Fisher. If it had simply been a competition of
lovely girls, why that would have been a different matter. The emphasis was
on Loveliness. Now, for another matter.

I would like another Vestpocket Kodak with Kodak Anast Lens f 7 7, carrying
case for same and portrait attachment. Besides this, please send me

1 Eastman View Camera #2, 8 X 10

2 extra lens boards

6 cut film holders

1 combination tripod

I want to give these as presents. I am starting everybody photographing.
I myself have started up again and have done some pretty fine work. It is great
fun and you know my enthusiasts for anything is contagious. With the usual greetings
Cordially,

291 Fifth Ave., New York.

June 4, 1915.

My dear Mr. Jones:

I have sent a check to the Company for the account due. Thanks for
all your kindness. Will you please pass along the following order.

1 doz. spools of 2¼ X 4¼ films
1 doz. " #3A (Postcard size)
2 doz. " 135/8 X 2¼ (8 exposures each)

The fellows are using up material pretty fast in order to gain experience under my direction. I let them make all the mistakes they want to. That is the only way to learn. Now as long as you are kind enough to let me order these things through you, I wonder whether it would not be possible to get platinum paper directly from the Company with the discount. I have always got to order the stuff through a dealer. And they always tell me that they have to order it through you. It means really longer waiting than placing it direct. I, myself, am doing a lot of photographying. Really experimenting undisturbed -- the first time in many years. And how about plates, can they be ordered with a discount? It would simplify matters for me. I would rather deal with the Company directly than through stock houses.

With greetings,

N. B. The cut film developing tank for 8 X 10 arrived in due time. How is it to be used? Are there any instructions? An ordinary tank arrived; no grooves, no hangers, nothing. How is the developing supposed to be done? Of course I have my ideas about it, but I would like to hear from the Company about their's

291 Fifth Ave., New York.

June 11, 1915.

My dear Mr. Jones:

Thanks for your letter. Of course I understand the conditions under
which I receive the privileges of a discount for the material I order from the
Kodak Company directly. Now, in as much as I intend to order directly through
the Company, will it not relieve you if I should send the orders to some other
department? Just give the word.

Will you please see to it that the following order is sent to me.

12 doz. Orthonon plates 8 X 10

6 tubes (1 doz. sheets ea.) American Platinum Paper 8X10 <u>Heavy</u>

4 " (1 doz. sheets ea.) American Platinum Paper 8X10 <u>Extra Heavy</u>

4 tubes (1 doz. sheets ea.) Etching Black 8X10

2 pounds developing Salts, American Platinum <u>Black</u>

1 " " Etching Black

3 Kodak "Maskit" printing frames 5 X 7

3 doz. Developing powders for tank development Vest Pocket Kodak

8 pounds Eastman <u>Kodak Acid Fixing Bath.</u>

Also

3 doz. the Artura paper, Aegis 4 X 5,

3 doz. Iris B. Smooth.

I have never tried the Artura Papers. As long as I am experimenting
I want to try them out. I know some very able men who swear by Artura Paper.

With greetings,