My very first video: Quick Photos Authentication Tip
 

I made my first 'one minute quick tip' video for a regular authentication column I write for Sports Collectors Daily. Had to learn how to ad title and end cards using my apple.

I often talk about 'silvering' in old photos. Not you get to see an example of it in action.

The video on youtube

Nice David.

SHOW US YOUR TIPS!!!
Bahahsha! "David gone wild"

I like it. Very clear and concise. Hopefully there are more coming.

I'll watch your tips anytime!

Nice job!

Very helpful!

Thanks for the tip.

Great! Thank you.

david
 

just watched your tip and must say it's well done.
all the best,
barry

Well-done!

The only difficulty was finding a place with light that showed off the silvering in the video. It's more noticeable in person than on your apple computer screen.

I've learned in videos to just act natural. No pressure, because if you flub you can do a re-take.

And you hope the dogs upstairs don't start barking halfway through a perfect take.

Hi David- very nice video, and I learned something new.

There are photographs, I think early 20th century, that are called silver prints (I believe). That is something entirely different, no?

Photos
 

David,

Thanks so much; very helpful video.

Regards,

Mark

20th century black and white photos are called gelatin silver prints. The 1800s albums also have silver in them. Silvering can appear in both, but it's less common in albumens. So the silvering happens in photos that use silver salts. Most 1800s paper photos are albumen and the vast majority of 20th century b & w photos are gelatin silver.

Albumen (egg whites) was the clear binder or glue that held the photochemicals to the photopaper. It replaced by gelatin.

Silver salts turn dark when exposed to light, which is how images develop and why silver was used in photos.

Other, usually much rarer processes don't use silver and won't have silvering even if old. Platinum prints (uses platinum), carbon prints (uses carbon), cyanotypes and others don't use silver in the photo paper.

Silver prints isn't really a good term for 20th century black and white photos, because 1800s albumens are just as much of 'silver prints.' Gelatin silver is the best term. Though some people say silver gelatin-- same thing.

Thanks David for your detailed response.

david
 

I'm with Barry S on this one. Your precision is very helpful and most refreshing.

all the best,
barry

I'm sure when someone says 'silver print' they're referring to the standard black and white 'gelatin silver print' photo. Nothing special about it.

I noticed I never actually said that in the post.

If a random collector has a collection of 20th century baseball b & w photos, there's a good chance that 100% of the photos are gelatin silver.
If he owns a collection of 1800s baseball paper photos, there's a good chance 100% of them are albumen.

Platinum prints, carbon prints and salt print baseball photos are rare. Though cyanotypes (easily identified by their bright blue/cyan colors) are found with some regularity.

Great job David!

Photo Authentication
 

Hello David:
Thanks for the great information. As a photo collector this will be very handy.
Phil

I watched and it was a very good fast tip for early photos

Thanks Jimmy