Glass Plate Negatives Value?

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by YankeeCollector

Im confused. This may be a stupid question but is the glass plate negative on the left or the right?

The 2nd image is a positive scan of the negative.

[YankeeCollector]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

The 2nd image is a positive scan of the negative.

Thanks but if an auction is for a glass plate negative, do u get the right or left image. Thanks

[FrankWakefield]

Both.

[YankeeCollector]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

Both.

Thanks Frank

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by YankeeCollector

Thanks but if an auction is for a glass plate negative, do u get the right or left image. Thanks

They are the same piece. In hand it looks like the one on the left.

[YankeeCollector]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

They are the same piece. In hand it looks like the one on the left.

Ok, but how do u get it to look like the right? If it looks in hand like the left, when does it look like the right?

[glchen]

I think when you flip the negative to the other side, then it looks like the right.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by glchen

I think when you flip the negative to the other side, then it looks like the right.

No - it's a negative, just like old 35mm film. In order to get the positive image, you can scan it in and use any photo software (e.g. the free Picasa software) to click a button to convert the scan.

[Big Six]

I think the proper question is can these glass negatives still be used to create a print? If yes, how big could that print be? 8 x 10? Larger? And, money question, would it be considered a first generation print still? Or 2nd generation...thanks!

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Big Six

I think the proper question is can these glass negatives still be used to create a print? If yes, how big could that print be? 8 x 10? Larger? And, money question, would it be considered a first generation print still? Or 2nd generation...thanks!

Yes, you can make a print. If it's a quality original neg, with good clarity and a competent photographer, you can make it almost any size you want.

Just like today, a lot depends on the equipment and the skill of the original photographer.

[steve B]

A good photo lab can make a print from a glass negative. Doing a print the same size -a contact print - is easy. Better photo labs will be able to make larger or smaller prints. It's limited mostly by their equipment. They need a holder to hold the negative in the enlarger. If they have the right holder they can make decent size prints. If it's a nice crisp negative they could enlarge it a lot. Any flaws in focus make the large prints look awful, and they may recommend against doing something like 14x20.
Some places will make a 35mm copy negative and print from that.

Steve B

Originally Posted by Big Six

I think the proper question is can these glass negatives still be used to create a print? If yes, how big could that print be? 8 x 10? Larger? And, money question, would it be considered a first generation print still? Or 2nd generation...thanks!

[drc]

The negatives should be large enough to make poster size photos if you want.

Obviously, the negative image has to be clear and sharp.

As said, you can scan them.

Most glass negatives are much larger than 35mm. Often around the size of an index card or larger. I've never heard of a 35mm glass negative.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by YankeeCollector

Ok, but how do u get it to look like the right? If it looks in hand like the left, when does it look like the right?

It's a positive exposure of the negative. There are scanners out there that can do that for you.

[YankeeCollector]

Originally Posted by D. Bergin

It's a positive exposure of the negative. There are scanners out there that can do that for you.

Will the photos be Type 1, 2, 3 , 4 or something else?

[drc]

Going only and strictly by the PSA grading descriptions on their site, they would by Type II.

But it matters in collecting who printed the photographs. There's a difference between the Chicago Tribune printing one of their photos 25 years later, and Joe Shmoe printing the same image 25 years later. In general, something printed 'officially' is worth more-- meaning a Tribune photo made by the Tribune, or a Robin Yount photo with the MLB stamp on back.

I don't know how PSA takes that into account.

It should be noted that if you win a negative, you may have all legal rights to print the photos. I don't anticipating that being an issue. Having legal right is part of something being official.

There are a plethora of interesting questions brought up by this topic. It also shows that the PSA grade doesn't say everything about a photograph.

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by YankeeCollector

Will the photos be Type 1, 2, 3 , 4 or something else?

It will be a modern print. Doesn't really matter. It's a novelty at that point.