The print you saw was one of three that Bill had with him. All three were
spectacular, I just picked the first one in Bill's case to use in my
presentation. I said this before but the highlights have a sheen or glow
(he and I both think due to the gum content) and the shadows really look
like you will get a smudge of black on your finger when touched. That
combination seems to create a sense of depth to the print which I really
don't understand but my eyes and brain saw . . . call it an 1890's 3D
effect.
As to Bill Foster and Ortiz Echague, he had a unique relationship where
they traded Fresson print paper and information for medicine. On a couple
of occasions they traveled and photographed Spain together. A little bit
of fact for the historians, Ortiz purchased his paper from the Fresson
family lab until 1969. It was in 1969 that he acquired a Fresson machine
to manufacture his own paper. The paper that Bill has used for his prints
(and the samples he has shared with me) are all on original Fresson
supplied material.
As to the collaboration, Bill and I spent most of our free time around the
symposium lectures together . . . a spontaneous friendship.
The original Fresson paper sample from Bill is now in the hands of an
analytical lab. I have made arrangements to have the test results posted
to the group as they become available due to some business travel that
will keep me on the road for a while.
Sincerely, Art
Art Chakalis
Columbus, Ohio, USA