175 years

For example:- What if further experimentation in diversification of chemistry and process was today invested in making the original daguerreotype a commercial and viable process, without the health and safety problems, but with a similar unique one off quality. Would it have a market potential?

There are only about 5 commercial daguerreotypists worldwide.

One issue seems to be that even part of the expertise of the old masters has gone forever.

An interesting experiment would be to replicate the same frame Talbot took of the window with modern large format black and white film to see the amount of shadow and highlight detail and the tones we can achieve, coupled with modern developers and developing techniques. We have gone a long way forward since...

I'd be amazed if that has not already been done.
A quick google for "fox talbot window" shows all sorts of similar photographs. I expect if one cared to pick through them one would find one taken with a LF camera.
Or if you send me the petrol and film money I'll drive up there with one of my foamcore 8x10 cameras and have a go myself, it's only 30 miles from here

I found this one: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1634375

but no idea if it even is on film. Anyway the original has a special intriguing look and it carries a deep meaning for us photographers.

Pdeeh, you are lucky to be so close!