Virtually all silver prints made in the 19th century were toned,
usually with gold . Toning was routine practice for working
photographers and something they rarely omitted because they were
very interested in image permanence. Therefore, I think it would be
rare to find a silver print from 160 years ago in good condition that
was not toned.
This is surely on the basis that any image based on silver, which is
more subject to oxidation, is not going to be as stable as an image
based upon, or toned with, platinum,palladium or gold, That is a
given. But evenso, adequately processed silver prints not involvong
iron, have survived in good condition for i60 years.
Terry
Received on Wed Mar 29 09:18:06 2006
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