When printing large open areas of white, lets say sky or snow.. and these areas go to the easal blades, I always try to manipulate those areas to show some density,,, ie I want to see the line of the easel blade... once I can see this fine line I know I have laid down a nice white tone...
When the print is subsequently matted , usually with a rag paper that is not pure white , the snow becomes white and I feel comfortable knowing there is some tone in the scene.
Anton Corjbins printer would never been able to make those fabulous prints without flashing in some tone to the whites.
Pure white areas in a print IMHO should be left only for specular highlights, or for components in a graphic print style where one is complimenting white against other tones.
hope this makes sense.
Bob