L. Solon, Stoke-on-Trent to Dr. [Henry] Thomas. Dr. Thomas's portrait was very successful in biscuit but was spoiled to such an extent by the glaze that repeated mendings could not correct it. There were a lot of holes in the ground which would not disappear so eventually he decided to gild the ground and cover the holes with a decoration. He appolgises that the repeated fixings have altered the fineness of the work and he would have preferred it without gold. 'Anybody who is at all acquainted with Mexican characters will easily read the inscription all round'. The holes can still be seen on the borders but would be hidden by a frame.
(Copy).
(See CP3256/1-2 for photographs of the plaque of Dr. Henry Thomas as described above).