Since the subject is mentioned again, I have a couple of comments. It
occurred to me (a) that the term "gelatine silver photograph" is fairly
recent, maybe from the late '70s when galleries discovered that
photography was ART & wanted to gussy it up. As a midlife retread from
painting, I myself can't speak with authority, but I've read a lot from
the time I missed & just don't recall the term: I had to have it
explained to me in a gallery the first time I saw it & have since
explained it myself to some fairly savvy people.(Which could explain why
the "old timer" didn't know the term.)
Another interesting thing (b), of no import, but then what is?..... I
suspect that the term is a back formation, a response to
"non-silver photography" which had entered the discourse just previously
(I theorize). Maybe the fact that some "non-silver processes"
actually contain silver provided the pretext or rationale for "gelatine
silver photograph."
(c) If possible, even more notable is that the fellow who started
this thread, was willing (with whatever trepidation) to endure what he
(rightly) feared would be the torment of a hand-coated process because
he'd seen some prints that thrilled him.
I forget who it was, but I'd like to tell him: Honest, we LOVE the pain.
You will too. Do reconsider. Remember also that Mapplethorpe printed
platinum (or had it printed for him) and platinum is SO EASY.
(Well it looks easy from here!)
Cheers, Judy