Charles E. Fairman

Judy Seigel (jseigel@panix.com)
Thu, 30 Jan 1997 01:42:40 -0500 (EST)

Success: I found the Fairman clip in only the 5th folder I looked in. The
article was in "The Camera and Darkroom," October, 1904. (I sent a copy to
APR/Penzance, but do not recall that they reprinted it.)

Title is "The Printing and Development of Gum Bichromate Paper," and
article is accompanied by repro of a Fairman gum portrait with the
information, "Printed on Linen Bond Notepaper. Print exposed 35 sec. in
sunlight. Developed automatically."

I found this passage of particular interest:

"....if the print is left to develop automatically, it will be found that
the result furnishes an agreeable medium between the extremely sketchy
effect of the gum print and the excessive detail of some of the finer
grade of commercially prepared photographic papers..."

Also Fairman's description of his coating method:

"I have not known of a better method than to apply the gum with the
bristle brush, and smooth the brush marks away with a badger blender. The
one which I have used for more than four years for this purpose is
described in the catalog of brushes as 'Pitched badger blender set in
wood, English style.' The brush referred to, which is four inches in
width, cost in New York $2.50, and although I have used it for more than
four years it is apparently as good as new and I have never known a hair
to shed...."

Sigh,

Judy