Identifying B&W paper by surface texture print made c. 2002

Hi all,

I’m hoping to draw on the collective experience here.

I have a toned fiber based silver gelatin print that was made around 2002 by Japanese artist Yamamoto Masao… Unfortunately, the paper type wasn’t documented, and I’m trying to identify — or at least narrow down — what paper it’s likely to be based on surface texture and finish.

I’ve attached close-up photos showing:

• surface sheen at an angle
• texture / tooth under raking light
• edge detail
• overall surface character

What I’m particularly curious about:

• whether the surface resembles any now-discontinued papers from the late 1990s–early 2000s
• any resemblance to Ilford / Agfa / Forte / Oriental / Kodak surfaces of that era
• whether the texture suggests air-dried FB, ferrotyped, or another finishing method
• which paper currently manufactured can result in a similar gloss.

I’m not expecting a definitive ID — educated guesses or eliminations from those who printed extensively during that period would be extremely helpful.


Thanks in advance to anyone willing to take a look.




Best,
Quintin

Contact ibasho gallery in Belgium. They sell his work

Peter Schrager said:

Contact ibasho gallery in Belgium. They sell his work

Click to expand...

This was at Jackson Fine Art in ATL.

Surely, they don’t have paper type… only broad designation Fiber Based & Mixed Media …

Definitely not ferrotyped, that's for sure. Surface doesn't look like Milford to me. Apart from that, could be anything.

I bet you could get close to this with Fomabrom if you dry mount it. Sepia and selenium toning might get you close to the image tone.

Amazing body of work, usually selling smaller prints at Paris-Photo.
My guess is Oriental.