Re: The Resinotype Mountain

[John Grocott <john.grocott403@ntlworld.com>]

Continuing the climb.............................

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alberto Novo" <alt_list@albertonovo.it>
To: <alt-photo-process-l@usask.ca>
Sent: Monday, October 29, 2007 1:40 PM
Subject: Re: The Resinotype Mountain

John - Photographist wrote:-
> > others would be willing to give it a try if the resinotype powders + 
> > pigments were available already prepared for use.
Albert wrote:-
> Rodolfo Namias begun selling powders, papers and kits in 1923. The powder
> was manufactured at Stabilimenti Chimici IRTA in Rome. I have not been 
> able to find this laboratory, and I believe that it disappeared after the 
> WW2.
> the paper was prepared outside Italy, perhaps in UK or France, because in 
> 1936 it begun to be unavailable owing to the embargo (called "the 
> Sanctions" in Italy). In my opinion, it was likely a paper treated with a 
> only partially hardened gelatine (hence the directions to use 50-60°C warm 
> water for swelling).
> But I an not Rodolfo Namias and so I am not inclined to sell powders 
> (unless suddendly many people ask for them...).
....................................................................
                                     Many people = ?????????
..................................................................................
> John wrote:-
> >  Yes, it does seem simple.  Only 10 minutes to prepare. But only after 
> > you have located a supplier of rosin powder, pigments, pestle+mortar ( 
> > one week ).  This all adds up to a far more complex process than, for 
> > example cyanotype, which seems to be, understandably, very popular.  It 
> > is so straight forward and simple. (apologies to cyanotypists)
> I know many persons asking me where to buy chemicals, etc. This is a 
> common rule (and part of the game) for ALL the alt-processes.
...........................................
                       John wrote
> > I had rosin powder from the time when  I experimented with dust gravure.
........................................................
Alberto wrote:-
> I have found quite easily rosin in Venice. Kilograms of rosin, also in big 
> pieces: it is very cheap (few euro/kg). In a shop they asked me what use I 
> would have made, because they were used to sell it to the students of a 
> dancing school (for putting it under the tips).
John wrote:-
> > Your enthusiasm has been an encouragement to me and I hope to reciprocate 
> > in due course with some masterpieces.
........................................................
       Thank you, Alberto,  for the kind offer of resinotype powder.  It 
would be received with many thanks but I would feel obliged to pay you 
something for your time and effort  whilst I am able to make some, myself , 
when required.

                             The above is all fascinating history but still 
leaves us with the challenge of the practical work and preparing the setup. 
Also, to make resinotype moreof an attractive process to many other photo 
artists as this seems to be your main aim, at the present.

                To some List members this may seem to be a ''shill' except 
that you are not advertizing to sell anything. Maybe we should revert to 
private emailing  OFF LIST ?

> I could add some of my ready-to-use powder to my prints, if you like and 
> if there will not be problems sending it.
> Ciao
> Alberto
.............................................................................
                   Onward and upward.
The view is becoming intoxicating.
                     Take care. As ever.  John - Photographist