My very first video: Quick Photos Authentication Tip

[drcy]

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.

[barrysloate]

Thanks David for your detailed response.

[ethicsprof]

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

all the best,
barry

[drcy]

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.

[deebro041]

Great job David!