Dating photographic paper is one of the most powerful tools in authenticating vintage prints. Each manufacturer—Kodak, Agfa, Ilford, Dupont, Gevaert, Oriental, and others—used distinct watermarks, emulsion technologies, surface textures, fiber structures, baryta layers, and chemical coatings that changed across decades. These characteristics allow experts to determine when a print could have been made and whether it aligns with the artist’s era or claimed provenance.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 226 — The Expert’s Guide to Dating Photography Paper by Manufacturer and Chemical Process teaches a complete, museum-grade framework for identifying albumen, collodion, gelatin silver, chromogenic, RC, and digital photographic papers through physical, chemical, and visual markers. This guide shows collectors how to analyze paper fibers, watermarks, optical brighteners, edge codes, gloss levels, emulsion structures, fixer residues, and darkroom artifacts to establish accurate date ranges.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Identify manufacturer watermarks, back-prints, and edge-marking systems
Distinguish albumen, collodion, gelatin silver, chromogenic, RC, fiber-based, and digital papers
Evaluate baryta layers, fiber textures, and chemical aging patterns
Date photographic papers by logo evolution, brand codes, and production eras
Analyze gloss, matte, pearl, velvet, and textured finishes by decade
Detect optical brighteners not used before the 1950s
Recognize fixer stains, silvering-out, drying artifacts, and toning indicators of true darkroom vintage
Detect digital prints misrepresented as vintage originals
Identify modern reprints produced from original negatives
Determine when professional laboratory testing is necessary for high-value works
Volume 226 gives collectors and archivists a scientific, defensible system for dating photographic paper—ensuring accurate authentication of vintage prints and preventing costly mistakes.
Digital Download — PDF • 8 Pages • Instant Access
Dating photographic paper is one of the most powerful tools in authenticating vintage prints. Each manufacturer—Kodak, Agfa, Ilford, Dupont, Gevaert, Oriental, and others—used distinct watermarks, emulsion technologies, surface textures, fiber structures, baryta layers, and chemical coatings that changed across decades. These characteristics allow experts to determine when a print could have been made and whether it aligns with the artist’s era or claimed provenance.
DJR Expert Guide Series, Vol. 226 — The Expert’s Guide to Dating Photography Paper by Manufacturer and Chemical Process teaches a complete, museum-grade framework for identifying albumen, collodion, gelatin silver, chromogenic, RC, and digital photographic papers through physical, chemical, and visual markers. This guide shows collectors how to analyze paper fibers, watermarks, optical brighteners, edge codes, gloss levels, emulsion structures, fixer residues, and darkroom artifacts to establish accurate date ranges.
Inside, you’ll learn how experts:
Identify manufacturer watermarks, back-prints, and edge-marking systems
Distinguish albumen, collodion, gelatin silver, chromogenic, RC, fiber-based, and digital papers
Evaluate baryta layers, fiber textures, and chemical aging patterns
Date photographic papers by logo evolution, brand codes, and production eras
Analyze gloss, matte, pearl, velvet, and textured finishes by decade
Detect optical brighteners not used before the 1950s
Recognize fixer stains, silvering-out, drying artifacts, and toning indicators of true darkroom vintage
Detect digital prints misrepresented as vintage originals
Identify modern reprints produced from original negatives
Determine when professional laboratory testing is necessary for high-value works
Volume 226 gives collectors and archivists a scientific, defensible system for dating photographic paper—ensuring accurate authentication of vintage prints and preventing costly mistakes.
Digital Download — PDF • 8 Pages • Instant Access
Image 1 of 1