In my reply to Judy earlier this week I made an over cynical remark about gum
prints in collections. I would not have pressed the 'send' button if I had
waited until the following morning.
One needs to remember that among the fine and representative work in national
collections there is often a body of material that has been bequeathed or
donated to the collection after the death of the photographer concerned.
Some of this material can often be work that the photographer has kept for
reference or sentimental purposes and was never meant to hang on walls. Such
work is often useful to the student in establishing the development of
techniques or styles.
It should not be regarded as representative of the finished work of the
photographer.
Anybody coming to Britain, who is interested in alternative processes, should
make a special point of visiting the collection of the Royal Photographic
Society at Bath. It is a good idea to write first though.
Terry King
PS Is there is similar list to this for those interested in art printing in
ink on paper.