Some background:
Bostick & Sullivan has been in business for almost 17 years selling platinum
and palladium printing materials. We are now expanding to include products
and chemicals for many of the other alt-photographic processes. We are
trying to hit core products at first and then build a complete product line
and inventory over the next year or two.
I started out as an amature photographer, hobbiest, artist, and idiot
savant. I also lucked out once or twice, the most memorable of which was in
an attempt to make chloric acid, I poured straight sulfuric acid into a
beaker with about 50 grams of barium chlorate. I failed to read the part
about diluting the barium chlorate and acid first. I had a face mask on,
thank heavens. My ears were ringing for two days, I picked shards of glass
out of the walls, though somehow none out of me.
I started B&S in the late 70's when it was still possible to buy things like
barium chlorate. I can buy these things today because I am a corporation and
"professional chemist". Ha, I've never taken even a high school chemistry
course, though I wish I had. As I have said before, I'm not a right wing
nut, I don't think everyone should have an Uzzi on the front seat of their
car. Enough said, ok, I'm a progressive and a good guy.
The ultimate question is should we sell some for these materials that are
considered dangerous? How dangerous? And how to sell?
There are modestly dangerous materials like uranyl nitrate, silver nitrate,
and then there is mercuric chloride, and then the gee whiz stuff like
potassium cyanide. The chlorates are potentialy explosive, and some like
potassium chlorate, are essential to traditional platinum printing. We have
always limited the quantity of potassium chlorate to 10 grams. There are the
acids, which surprisingly the big chemical companies won't sell you, but you
can buy at your local hardware store in less pure states, but every bit as
dangerous. Sulfuric acid can be bought as drain cleaner and hydrochloric as
brick and concrete wash.
I have thought of having customers register with B&S as "professsional"
buyers. They fill out a form declaring their skills and status. This would
provide me (B&S Inc.) some protection. If you are a professional
photographer, college professor, or someone of similar status, you would
have less claim that didn't know what you were doing. That well may be the
case, but you have no excuse. You should also be aware of your local
regulations concerning environmental issues and disposal.
In all reality, there isn't a whole lot of profit in selling these
compounds. It's more of a philosophical issue.
My mind is not made up on this issue, I'd like to hear your arguments pro
and con.
Ok, what say you?
Dick Sullivan
Bostick & Sullivan
Santa Fe, New Mexico