How Long Does Unexposed Paper Last ? ILFORD ORION Paper

Simon R Galley · Apr 25, 2013

Dear All,

Just to add a bit of fun on this much talked about 'topic'

Our laatest press release : http://goo.gl/yJbNP

Simon ILFORD Photo / HARMAN technology Limited :

Ghostman · Apr 25, 2013

A wonderful story, thanks for sharing.

Sirius Glass · Apr 25, 2013

Thank you

bobwysiwyg · Apr 25, 2013

Good grief, that paper is as old as I am!

Sirius Glass · Apr 25, 2013

bobwysiwyg said:
Good grief, that paper is as old as I am!

And you still print, right?

Steve Smith · Apr 25, 2013

Yes, but he's a bit foggy.

Steve.

Katie · Apr 25, 2013

Steve Smith said:
Yes, but he's a bit foggy.

Steve.

..and might be yellowing a bit as well.

Ken Nadvornick · Apr 25, 2013

Soooo... Let's see...

That box of 250 sheets of Ilford MGIV FB I just bought should still be usable in...

<click, click, click...>

2084??

Nice...

Ken

redrockcoulee · Apr 25, 2013

And I thought I was doing good using a box of Kodak Opal expiry date 03/69. The Opal is practically brand new in comparision.

Shawn Dougherty · Apr 26, 2013

Cool story, Simon! I've made some nice prints on Kodak Velox with a 1947 expiration date. =)

gandolfi · Apr 26, 2013

very cool!

(I have some VERY old 18x24 glass negatives from Ilford... Anyone know how old?)

bobwysiwyg · Apr 26, 2013

Sirius Glass said:
And you still print, right?

Actually, I have advanced to cursive.

paul_c5x4 · Apr 26, 2013

gandolfi said:
(I have some VERY old 18x24 glass negatives from Ilford... Anyone know how old?)

At a guess, around 1923 to 1926. Perhaps a note to Simon with the batch number would elicit further information

Molli · Apr 26, 2013

gandolfi said:
very cool!

(I have some VERY old 18x24 glass negatives from Ilford... Anyone know how old?)

Did your plates still have their instruction page enclosed? There should be something like C.37 or whatever down in the bottom corner. The letter of the alphabet is indicative of the month A=January, B=February, C=March, etc., and 37 would be shorthand for the year 1937.

Maurice Fisher's site "Photographic Memorabilia", mentioned in the article Simon linked to, has a listing of Ilford's History and Chronology here and, just beneath the introduction there are examples of the various logos used by Ilford on their products. I couldn't make out enough details in the image you've posted - check the flag, the cloud formation and how the sky is shaded to see if you can find a match amongst those shown.
Hope that helps! I've been in contact with Maurice in the past and made a great deal of use of his site as a point of reference and he's extraordinarily helpful and a lovely human being.

Rafal Lukawiecki · Apr 26, 2013

paul_c5x4 said:
At a guess, around 1923 to 1926. Perhaps a note to Simon with the batch number would elicit further information

Could we avail of the usual Ilford customer service in case of an emulsion issue with those, or have we just missed out on the warranty? It happens to me all the time.

How Long Does Unexposed Paper Last ? ILFORD ORION Paper

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