Silver gelatin fiber-based photographic papers have been the most widely used positive medium in the history of analog photography. Their characterization is an area of active research in conservation science: collecting key attributes such as surface texture, base color, or the presence or absence of optical brighteners, can be of significant relevance for processes of dating and authentication, as well as highlight trends and habits of a certain historical moment.
From a business perspective this set of features has been systematized for decades in the pages of price lists and specimen books, published annually by company manufacturers aiming to launch updates and innovations with these promotional items. Originally intended for retailers and photographers to view, touch and compare different samples, these ephemera are now considered invaluable reference tools for art historian, researchers and conservators, since they systematize the vast range of expressive properties of a medium in an objective manner, offering first-hand information regarding the introduction or termination of a specific product.
This contribution aims to integrate this field of research: although the Ferrania Company was the leading Italian manufacturer of photographic papers, its product lines have never been subjected to systematic investigation. Starting with the historical analysis of price lists, packaging, technical manuals and promotional materials produced by Ferrania between the late 1930s and the early 1960s, an attempt will be made to reconstruct the history of its production processes and product lines, as well as the variations in the design of the company logo over time. This will help in a better understanding and contextualization of the photographic samples that will be analyzed.
A specimen book from the 1950s will be selected as a case study. With the aid of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, key attributes of Ferrania photographic papers will be determined and systematized. The collected data describing the microscopic structure of the samples, their surface sheen, overall thickness, grammage, base color, as well as the possible presence of backprinting and optical brighteners, will contribute to the characterization of the infinite range of silver gelatin photographic papers produced in the 20th century. A comparison of the collected data with those measured on unknown samples, will highlight the relevance of these aspects for processes of dating, authenticity and expertise.
Keywords: characterization, Ferrania, silver gelatin photographic paper, specimen book.
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Ilaria Rossetti is an independent researcher based in Berlin. She is conservator of photographs (HTW Berlin) and art historian (University of Milan). Her collaborations include the following institutions: Bauhaus-Archiv, Berlinische Galerie, Galerie Bassenge, Galerie Berinson, Stadtmuseum Berlin, Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz. Her main research interests are silver gelatin photographic papers, with particular reference to their characterization and production processes.
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