RE: archivalness and alt process

Chris and all,

>
I have not had any issues with VDB fading in the 15 or so years I have
been printing them. I suspect the newer ones from the past couple years
will be even less likely to fade since I've started following advice on
using citric acid instead of plain water for the initial rinse and have
religiously been treating them in Clerc's old toner which I use both for
its archival benefits and because I really like the resultant color.

I tried argyrotypes many years ago but saw no benefit in my own work
with the newer process.

I have a VDB hanging on a wall in my bathroom which reaches 100%
humidity on a daily basis. The print resides just above the path of
direct afternoon sunlight on the wall. I haven't noticed any fading of
that image to speak of. So, I don't worry about VDB fading.
>

FWIW, my experience with VDB tends to parallel Joe's. I have never had a VDB
fade or mottle. Additionally, I almost always add gold chloride to the
sensitizer to alter the color toward a warm mauve. Toning is usually done
with Clerc's Gold toner or one of Sandy King's palladium/platinum toner
formula, however I don't often tone to completion, rather I prefer the split
tones that can be achieved.

I clear with citric acid but I've also used EDTA - sodium sulfite with no
problems. I now prefer the citric acid method since it is less expensive. I
do take great pains to wash prints thoroughly preceded by a hypo clearing
bath. Prints are washed at least an hour.

I've been experimenting recently with gum over palladium and toned
kallitypes and can easily mimic the tone and color of a VDB or at least a
color that pleases me. It seems to me that it may be impossible to remove
all residual iron and the ongoing discussion of that topic seems to be
something of a tempest in a teapot.

If we can't easily measure and monitor residual iron and the prints one is
making do not deteriorate after years of normal viewing then I can only
assume the residual iron if any isn't causing a problem. I have toned VDBs
that hang in my office that receive full direct sunlight; they compare
equally with ones keep in dark storage.

My 2 cents,

Don Bryant

 
Received on Mon Mar 27 14:17:16 2006