[alt-photo] Re: COT320

Sun Feb 17 23:57:05 GMT 2013

The pack of COT I've been using was purch from Bostick and Sullivan about a year or so ago, right before they stopped selling it.  It came in a sealed package instead of just a clear bag like before.  I've had not issues with my gums of cyanotype.  Hope this is just an isolated issue.  I really love COT 320

On Feb 17, 2013, at 5:50 PM, Diana Bloomfield <dhbloomfield at bellsouth.net> wrote:

> Hey Chris,
> 
> So B&H has that size in again?  If I didn't mind spending the money, I might buy a packet from them to compare to what I just got from Bergger.
> 
> I'm gonna try the humidification thing tomorrow, though, and see what results I get.  I'll try to post somewhere as well.
> 
> Thanks.
> 
> Diana
> On Feb 17, 2013, at 5:53 PM, Christina Anderson wrote:
> 
>> Interesting discussion, all.
>> 
>> There are always things that crop up with paper that never cease to amaze me. This week, two students were using a particular paper and they got this strange mottling I've never seen before. It wasn't splotchy or grainy, it was marbly. I think I will scan it and post somewhere. But because the two of them got it I could eliminate operator error to some extent and surmise other possibilities. This was with VDB.
>> 
>> Diana I just ordered some 11x14 Cot320 from B&H and I have some older as well so I will see if I notice a change. But I do for SURE note changes in paper when a particular paper which has been great for argyrotype (paper picky) all of a sudden is TERRIBLE. And it wouldn't distress me so much except when I have told all the students to buy that paper because it is so good. It makes me look like a fool and alt look like a PITA. And since I don't have a direct line to a manufacturer I never get answers, and just abandon the paper. Rives BFK was my favorite paper for many years but it's off my list now.
>> 
>> I remember years ago there were the black spots and Patine and I also remember the manufacturer working directly with, was it, Dick Arentz to solve the issue. Those were the days! And it is still a luscious paper.
>> 
>> Chris
>> 
>> Christina Z. Anderson
>> christinaZanderson.com
>> 
>> On Feb 17, 2013, at 10:23 AM, Diana Bloomfield wrote:
>> 
>>> Hey Bob,
>>> 
>>> I typically order COT320 from B&H in NYC.  They have been out of the size I wanted for a while, so I ordered directly from the Bergger site (distribution in Illinois, I think?)  It was an 11x14 packet.  So the "art merchant" who sold it to me was, in fact, Bergger direct.  
>>> 
>>> I started using it maybe a week after receiving it.  In terms of humidity, my studio has about the right amount of humidity (also in a humid climate here, in NC-- though not as humid as Barbados, I'm sure!).  I used to have to use a humidifier for all my papers, in the space I worked in before- but not anymore in the studio I have now.
>>> 
>>> And, as mentioned before, I tried the same negative with various other papers (Arches Platine and Revere, specifically)-- papers that had been sitting in my studio for quite a while-- nearly a year-- and the prints with same negative, same chemicals, printed in the same afternoon, etc were fine.  I did print on several pieces of the new COT320 paper, with the same (grainy) result.  I also discovered an older piece of COT320 that I had left over, in a flat file here-- printed on that, and it was fine.
>>> 
>>> So I do believe the new packet of paper has a problem. It's possible, of course, this is an isolated incident, but since at least one other person mentioned the same issue, I think not.  John had suggested that I send the prints to him, and he would send to France for evaluation.  My thought is, rather, he should send the remaining packet of paper to France, so they can evaluate the paper that's in there.
>>> 
>>> At any rate, I did not humidify this new paper, simply because everything else that's in my studio works fine, and I never have to do that.  I can try that, though, and I'll let you know what happens.
>>> 
>>> Diana
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Feb 16, 2013, at 3:54 PM, BOB KISS wrote:
>>> 
>>>> DEAR ALL,
>>>>    This, once again, appears to be a case of, "Rumors of my demise have
>>>> been greatly exaggerated" (Mark Twain).  I recall a few years ago, when B&S
>>>> stopped carrying COT 320, rumors flew that it was no longer made.  I
>>>> contacted John at Bergger USA and he had plenty of stock in all sizes and
>>>> more on the way.  I ordered directly from him and received it quickly...well
>>>> quickly for Barbados!  LOL!  I have ordered lots from him at various times
>>>> and he has always had stock.
>>>>    Now, because there is the problem of grain, and I believe Diana that
>>>> there is a problem with the batch she bought, we are once again relegating
>>>> COT 320 to the scrap heap.  Why not demonstrate to those like John at
>>>> Bergger that we are logical, technically sophisticated, craft-persons and
>>>> find out exactly what the problem is?  I don't recall where Diana got that
>>>> batch but, if the art merchant who sold it to her stored it in a hot, dry
>>>> place, it may well have changed the paper significantly.  This would even
>>>> explain the difference Diane found between the older COT and this newer
>>>> "problem batch".  We all also know that paper may eventually stabilize in
>>>> terms of humidity but, as I said, if the paper was stored at extremely low
>>>> rel hum and high room temps, it might need some help.
>>>>    Which brings me to; Diana, did you ever try humidifying this grainy
>>>> batch of COT **before** coating?  I don't usually have to, living in a very
>>>> humid place, but it might be an interesting experiment to humidify it before
>>>> coating, coat it and proceed with your normal steps.  I would love to hear
>>>> the results.
>>>> 
>>>>            CHEERS FROM BARBADOS!
>>>>                BOB
>>>> 
>>>> -----
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