T206 antecedents.Photography and Lithography behind the T206s.

[ethicsprof]

many thanks for the support, ole buddy. I've been getting more emails than
posts on the thread so input is arriving in all sorts of ways.
You're right about Horner; his portraits are phenomenal.

happy new year!

best,
barry

[Brian-Chidester]

Barry,

Nice work on the Conlon front. Have you gotten any emails about the lithography style? I'd like to know what process was used for painting the photographs. Knowing only the basics about lithography myself, I've read that it as a six-color litho process, but I also wonder about the gloss and drying process of the ink. In some T206 cards, it almost seems like the ink is under another thin layer of clear paper, because you can see the cross-lines in the eyes of the players, if you look through a magnifying glass. American Litho did one hell of a job.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by Brian-Chidester

Barry,

Nice work on the Conlon front. Have you gotten any emails about the lithography style? I'd like to know what process was used for painting the photographs. Knowing only the basics about lithography myself, I've read that it as a six-color litho process, but I also wonder about the gloss and drying process of the ink. In some T206 cards, it almost seems like the ink is under another thin layer of clear paper, because you can see the cross-lines in the eyes of the players, if you look through a magnifying glass. American Litho did one hell of a job.

I believe Ted Z has commented on this or a similar phenomena in one of the T206 Printing theory threads from the old board.

[ethicsprof]

Brian,
thanks for the interest.
Dave is correct that Ted Z has elucidated the litho process to some degree in other threads. Jamie Hull has been very helpful in this domain and can help
with bibliographic tools and even tutorial.

I have actually been spending my time on the detective work of seeking the
Conlon Type 1s which have served as the bases for T206s and find the task very slow and even more fascinating---as it is truly uncharted territory. For some reason, the photography experts and T206 experts have been fast asleep in this area---understandably so, since most everyone,including myself until recently, has had the
Hornerean preoccupation when it comes to photography and T206s.
When it comes to poses, Conlon is key,I believe. If you know of sources or
individuals who have expertise on Conlon and T206s, please let me know.

all the best,
barry

[drdduet]

Great post Barry. Yet another facet of the Monster to decode.

Maybe with enough input a t206 image reference can be created. A reference that would list all the t206 images with the photographer and original image would be fascinating. Subsets by photographer could then be pursued. This kinda stuff never gets old.

[ethicsprof]

Thanks, Darren. Like most treks into uncharted territories, it will take a long time but has the exploratory adrenaline of a first find in an old archaeological dig. And the Conlon artifact has captured me.
I must say that the framed Type 1 Conlon pictured alongside the T206 (no L.) Tannehill which my wife gave me for Christmas is now my most prized display at the office.
best,
barry

[Brian-Chidester]

With the plethora of auction catalogues offering cabinets throughout the years, it's likely that more than a few would have been offered from the Conlon lens.

To the issue of the lithography process, I've read some of Ted Z.'s old archived threads. I'm still curious about many things that might not be unique to just T206s, but maybe to the era at large. Silkscreening, color-processes and drying techniques were so incredibly durable in those days. Even thinner paper stock, such as the T213-1 cards, still hold their color ink with incredible durability.

I'd love to see a portrait today manipulated and printed with the same old equipment and technique. I think that would be a fascinating process to witness.