vicdil
Allowing Ads
- Joined
- Oct 14, 2009
- Messages
- 3
- Format
- Instant Films
Hello. I found a pack of what I think is Brovira paper but I would appreciate it if someone could help me w/this.
First off, I know absolutely nothing about developing photos or photographic paper. I have tried researching Brovira papers myself to try to determine what I had and got to the point where I think I maybe know a little bit about it.
The photographic paper is inside two thick folded sheets of black heavy construction-like paper, with a layer of thin yellowish wax-like paper directly next to the paper. The black sheets were carefully folded and taped shut.
On the outside of the black wrapping paper, there was taped to it a folded pamphlet entitled "WORKING INFORMATION FOR THE USE OF AGFA ANSCO BROVIRA PAPER." This pamphlet has no copyright date that I could find anywhere. Specifics I found on the pamphlet: Grades 1-4 are only ones on a table. Each grade has single weight and double weight info; both weights have glossy and velvet; double weight also has matte white, silk white, kashmir white. Bottom of back of pamphlet shows company name as Agfa Ansco, Binghamton, New York, made in U.S.A., Reg. U.S. Pat. Off., 32-200, Printed in U.S.A.
Formula for Agfa has grams for sodium sulphite showing as 45 grams, which according to APUG member Ian, this means this pamphlet post-dates 1938; Ian found the gram change in a 1941 pamphlet (noted as a change there).
I found somewhere that Agfa was dropped from the Agfa Ansco name in January 1944.
So maybe this pamphlet dates from 1941 to 1943?
I bought the pack of paper w/o opening it first and so hoped that the inside would have some indication of what grade the paper was and a marking of some sort so I'd know for sure that this was Brovira paper. No such luck. There is no grading inside anywhere and I don't see any watermark on the paper.
Every two sheets are arranged so that the yellowish side is next to the yellowish side of the next sheet, with the next sheet then being white up and yellow down, then yellow up and white down, etc. The paper seems heavy but I have no idea if it's single or double weight--maybe if I weighed one piece and someone here knew that could help.
From what I found in my limited research, it seems that paper this old may not be any good, except I read somewhere that the older papers had so much silver that they didn't really expire (despite being given expiration dates). I don't know how well this particular paper has been stored but the outside wrapping appears to have kept it pretty clean and wrinkle/crease-free.
I've got 68 sheets of this stuff (11x14") and not much more of a clue.
If this dates from 1941-1943, does that mean it was maybe made for military since was during WWII (when plant was taken over)?
Is there a way I could get any watermark to show itself (a chemical to use or something)?
Were all Brovira papers marked as such?
Any information, assistance, input or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Diane
First off, I know absolutely nothing about developing photos or photographic paper. I have tried researching Brovira papers myself to try to determine what I had and got to the point where I think I maybe know a little bit about it.
The photographic paper is inside two thick folded sheets of black heavy construction-like paper, with a layer of thin yellowish wax-like paper directly next to the paper. The black sheets were carefully folded and taped shut.
On the outside of the black wrapping paper, there was taped to it a folded pamphlet entitled "WORKING INFORMATION FOR THE USE OF AGFA ANSCO BROVIRA PAPER." This pamphlet has no copyright date that I could find anywhere. Specifics I found on the pamphlet: Grades 1-4 are only ones on a table. Each grade has single weight and double weight info; both weights have glossy and velvet; double weight also has matte white, silk white, kashmir white. Bottom of back of pamphlet shows company name as Agfa Ansco, Binghamton, New York, made in U.S.A., Reg. U.S. Pat. Off., 32-200, Printed in U.S.A.
Formula for Agfa has grams for sodium sulphite showing as 45 grams, which according to APUG member Ian, this means this pamphlet post-dates 1938; Ian found the gram change in a 1941 pamphlet (noted as a change there).
I found somewhere that Agfa was dropped from the Agfa Ansco name in January 1944.
So maybe this pamphlet dates from 1941 to 1943?
I bought the pack of paper w/o opening it first and so hoped that the inside would have some indication of what grade the paper was and a marking of some sort so I'd know for sure that this was Brovira paper. No such luck. There is no grading inside anywhere and I don't see any watermark on the paper.
Every two sheets are arranged so that the yellowish side is next to the yellowish side of the next sheet, with the next sheet then being white up and yellow down, then yellow up and white down, etc. The paper seems heavy but I have no idea if it's single or double weight--maybe if I weighed one piece and someone here knew that could help.
From what I found in my limited research, it seems that paper this old may not be any good, except I read somewhere that the older papers had so much silver that they didn't really expire (despite being given expiration dates). I don't know how well this particular paper has been stored but the outside wrapping appears to have kept it pretty clean and wrinkle/crease-free.
I've got 68 sheets of this stuff (11x14") and not much more of a clue.
If this dates from 1941-1943, does that mean it was maybe made for military since was during WWII (when plant was taken over)?
Is there a way I could get any watermark to show itself (a chemical to use or something)?
Were all Brovira papers marked as such?
Any information, assistance, input or opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Diane
Where did you learn to be a "Detective" 
