Book form plate holders for wet plate.

[awty]

Hi
Does anyone use these for wet plate?
Do they need modifying?
I can't find anything on google.
Thanks.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Yours are typical holders for dry plates and (dry) sheet film. Vintage wet plate holders are very hard to find, since the cameras on which they were used are also very rare (before c 1860). The wet plates did rest on metal (mostly silver) threads in the corners of the plateholders, and did not rest or at a minimum on wood.

here's a picture of a vintage holder for wet plates - they have a little door at the back where you insert the plate:





almost all have stain on them from the liquid silver nitrate ....



Nowadays people make workarounds with newer / plastic holders:

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

currently one for sale (I'm not related to the seller): https://picclick.com/Cassette-plate-Film-Back-Holder-of-wooden-wood-374003225818.html

 

[awty]

currently one for sale (I'm not related to the seller): https://picclick.com/Cassette-plate-Film-Back-Holder-of-wooden-wood-374003225818.html

Thanks Ron.
I'm going to just modify what I have. I have inserted some tack heads around the frame to keep the emulsion from the wood and will see how that works. If it doesn't I will figure something else out.

 

[Ron (Netherlands)]

Thanks Ron.
I'm going to just modify what I have. I have inserted some tack heads around the frame to keep the emulsion from the wood and will see how that works. If it doesn't I will figure something else out.
View attachment 307749

Great solution!

 

[Ray Morgenweck]

How’d that work out for you? BTW a lot of Wet Plate photogs “rush” too much and don’t let the plate drain long enough removing it from the bath, and especially make sure the back is dry (paper toweled).

 

[awty]

How’d that work out for you? BTW a lot of Wet Plate photogs “rush” too much and don’t let the plate drain long enough removing it from the bath, and especially make sure the back is dry (paper toweled).

I need to cut some glass and buy more chemistry, hopefully soon.
I do use paper towels, still manage to make a mess though.

 

[Two23]

Coat the points the plate will rest on with black enamel. If you don't they will corrode and make a mess. I painted all the edges along the sides of my holders with black enamel as well. Raw wood is impossible to clean and if it isn't clean the edges of the plate will be very screwed up.


Kent in SD