Digital BW, The Print

* -----Original Message-----
* From: Tom Baker [mailto:tbaker1328@sbcglobal.net] 
* Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2003 1:13 PM
* To: DigitalBlackandWhiteThePrint@yahoogroups.com
* Subject: RE: [Digital BW] beating a dead horse
* 
* 
* Just a point of curiosity.  Does anyone know what the life 
* expectancy of a callotype on rag papers would be?  Were/are 
* the inks dye or pigment?
*  
* The fact that the plates have a limited life makes those 
* prints, potentially, more 'collectible' than ink jet prints.  
* The first ones off the run are supposed be be better quality, 
* making the lower numbered prints more desirable.  In short, 
* is the callotype process of sufficient quality to justify 
* photographers with images they would like to make 
* 'collectible' have callotypes made?  Would b&w callotypes be 
* better/lesser quality than color?
*  
Tom,

Don't confuse "collotype" with "calotype." Very similar names but very
different processes. I would think that a collotype printed on quality paper
with quality ink would last indefinitely depending upon how it was cared
for. I have seen books from the early 18th century that were absolutely
pristine white and unfaded black print.

Like any fine lithographic printing the lower numbered or early prints will
be sharper and more highly prized than higher numbered prints made after the
plate has begun to wear on it. I suspect that if you wanted to make
collotype photographic prints today they would be very unique. I don't
believe anyone is doing it commercially so you would have to master the
technique yourself.

If you are interested in the look of this type of printing you might want to
check out Lens Work, http://www.lenswork.com/index.html. They sometimes have
photogravure prints for sale printed with plates made from digital contact
negatives or order a print from Strange Ross. 

I got to actually hold one of Fox Talbot's calotypes from the 1840's and
while the paper was in fine shape the image was a faded purple blur.

Martin Wesley
www.carolyn.cc/Guests/MartinWesley/pages/MW_01.html
www.borderless-photos.de/guests.html