Re: Gathering of information

Richard Sullivan wrote:
> YES!
>snip
> I think the best way to proceed is to write an occasional paper. This is
> less formal than a peer reviewed journal article but more formal than
> just writing it down.
>
> This way we can at least get a handle on all of this. An occasional
> paper could be a half page or twenty pages. Best to keep it to some
> focused topic too.

An addition to these types of articles, I propose we start a data base
of information. I propose the following four categories, described in
brief below, to encompass the information. The overall goal is to
collect factual, verifiable information both vintage and modern on the
carbon process. The intent is to gather all the tidbits of knowledge and
facts scattered around the world and catalog them for future research.
If all think this is a suitable starting point (all voluntary of
course), these categories can even extend to other processes (Richard,
your opinion as to applicability to your CPHT will be welcome).

1. Known photographers, galleries or publication houses that produced
carbon prints. This could be divided into vintage vs modern. (Question:
what year would be a good dividing line, 1900? 1950? other?). The data
base would have fields for name, location, year, and notes. Each entry
into this data base must also have a citation source. The source would
either be a reference (book, journal, etc), the notation or stamp on a
verified carbon print (e.g. cabinet card logo), or personal witness
testimony.

2. Published text. The data base will include the text citation (title,
author, source, year, etc). This category would contain reprints of text
related to the carbon process, particularly to technique and
methodology. Again, this category can be divided into vintage vs modern.
Articles will be scanned in pdf format from the original source, or from
a photo-copy of the original source. Full citation will also be
required. Articles still under copyright protection will be cited by
title, author and location. The text used only if permission granted. In
some cases, alternatives to pdf may be used.

3. Photographs. Actual scans of carbon prints to be included. If a known
photographer was very prolific, only a few selected examples will be
included. The scans must be from the actual original print (no xerox
copies, no extraction from texts or journals). Again, all information
available about the photograph will be cataloged and its current owner
(with ID protection if requested to the administrator of data base). A
recognized expert on carbon prints or on vintage photographs must have
inspected the actual print to verify (to the best of his/her ability)
that it demonstrates the visual characteristics of a carbon print.

4. Op-Ed articles on the Carbon Process. These will be articles or
manuscripts that do not specifically convey technique or methodology but
rather opinions, editorials, or insight in the history, contribution,
value, aesthetics, etc. of the carbon process. Again, full citation to
be included and provided in pdf format when ever possible.

I would also like thoughts on how focused this first catalog should be.
Only carbon prints, or expansion to other carbon cousins such as the
Woodburytype or collotype, etc.?

Your thoughts and comments always welcome.

Paul A. Lehman

_______________________________________________
Post to the list as PLAIN TEXT only - no HTML
carbon mailing list
carbon@spitbite.org
FAQ at http://spitbite.org/carbon/list.html
Received on Sat Sep 18 18:56:41 2004