Richard Sullivan (richsul@earthlink.net)
Tue, 01 Jun 1999 10:06:52 -0600
Luis Nadeaus Encyclopedia lists this:
>Catatype
>
>A color process originally patented by Ostwald and Gros in 1901, which
>depended on the catalytic action of finely divided platinum or silver. One
>writer mentions: "I remember the complaint which caused great
>embarrassment when color pictures taken of thew emperor Wilhelm II, in
>different splendid uniforms, were returned with the layers peeling off.
>Katatypie was a complete failure. Of the boxes containing the materials
>for practicing the process only a few were sold."
Interesting to note the mention of silver as well as platinum/
--Dick Sullivan
At 10:50 AM 5/31/99 -0600, you wrote:
>While the platinum itself is inert, probably its most valuable property is its
>function as a catalyst, which is an agent which enables reactions to occur at
>lower energy levels without itself being affected by the reaction. The print
>in your example is most probably causing a reaction in compounds in the paper
>the folder is made of, which is likely of lower purity than the paper the
>print
>is made on.
>
>As an interesting aside, this characteristic makes it arguable that the gold
>print, not having nearly as strong a catalytic capability, is the most
>permanent work on paper, not the platinum print.
>
>John Rudiak
>http://www.johnrudiak.com
>
>Robert Hudyma wrote:
>
> > I have a Portrait of a lady, printed in Platinum, that was probably made in
> > the 1920's. The portrait was placed in a paper holder that folded over
> > like a greeting card.
> >
> > When you open the folder up, the portrait is on the right hand side, but a
> > very warm soft image is on the left hand side, where the portrait was in
> > contact with the paper. The effect is really beautiful and I thought that
> > it was part of the original image that was provided by the studio. But, I
> > was told that, over the years, the Platinum from the original image had
> > reacted with the paper that was in contact with the image, which resulted
> > in a mirror image transferring to the opposite side of the folder.
> >
> > I made the comment that the Platinum image was archival, and I was told
> > that although the Platinum was stable, it was still reacting with the paper
> > and causing the paper to disintegrate.
> >
> > Some questions:
> >
> > Once a platinum image is made, will it *continue* to react with the paper
> > and *accelerate* its destruction? What is the estimated speed of this:
> > hundreds of years or longer?
> >
> > Is this reaction, sufficiently slow, or benign so as not to affect the
> > natural life of the paper that the image is printed on?
> >
> > How long does it take for an image to transfer in this manner: months or
> > tens's of years?
> >
> > Finally, did the Platinum actually migrate to the opposite sheet of paper,
> > or did the Platinum act as a catalyst to facilitate a reaction with the
> > paper and the atmosphere?
> >
> > Very best regards,
> >
> >
> > Robert Hudyma, Semi-Tech Corporation, 2800 14th Avenue, Suite 511,
> > Markham Ontario, Canada L3R 0E4. Fax: (905) 475-3652
> > Email: rhudyma@netcom.ca
> >
> > The distinction between past, present and future is only an illusion, even
> > if a stubborn one. - Albert Einstein
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