I drew up the specification of Buxton paper originally for platinum (and
the other-iron based processes); but Judy Seigel has made a lot of
comparative tests that show it is also one of the best papers she has
encountered for *single coat* gum bichromate; the downside is she also
found it is not heavy enough (at 160 gsm) for *multiple coat* gums. Neither
of us has tried it with both processes in one print (yet).
I'm afraid that the answers to Margie's questions are almost entirely
negative: Buxton is very hard to acquire (Silverprint may have some left);
it cannot be purchased in the US; it can be ordered from John Purcell Paper
in the UK - in a minimum making of one ream. I hesitate to speculate how
long delivery might be.
I mentioned Buxton paper to the List some while ago, not particularly to
promote it (I don't get a commission!) but because there was some
discussion among a group of you, who were dissatisfied with the 'high
volume' commercial papers, about clubbing together to commission the making
of a suitable paper by hand.
I thought you might like to know that it can be done.
Recent posts to this List indicate that there are papermakers in the US who
could undertake this. As specialist suppliers, they deserve our support.
But have no illusions - it will cost; and if you had watched the papermaker
hand-making it sheet by sheet, as I have, you would agree it was worth the
price.
Mike