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Paper for Alternative Photography
HERSCHEL and BUXTON PLATINOTYPE PAPERS

We are pleased to announce our new HERSCHEL paper to complement our existing range of Platinotype paper.  This paper represents a substantial development in that it is made from 100% linen cellulose fibre. The linen paper is generally warmer in tone than the cotton of Buxton, being made from refined flax, is an inherently neutral, archival fibre with extremely long life. 

The linen paper sheet has much greater resilience and wet strength than cotton papers, notwithstanding its moderate weight of 200 gsm, chosen for ease of drying and finishing. Dimensional stability is good, with about  ±1% hydroexpansivity; but to obtain a perfectly flat sheet after processing, it does need to be dried under pressure.

 
HERSCHEL paper, like BUXTON, is 'engine-sized' with neutral alkylketene dimer, AKD. It can be rod-coated with sensitizer solution similarly to Buxton, with the addition of Tween 20 surfactant to the sensitizer, to ca. 0.1-0.2%. There is, of course, absolutely no added chalk buffer in this paper, which seriously inhibits siderotype, no surface sizing such as gelatin, which 'kills' platinum, nor clay or gypsum fillers and optical brightening agents.
 
Mike Ware, who has tested this paper exhaustively has concluded that with all processes (argyrotype, new cyanotype, palladiotype, platinotype and new chrysotype) , the Dmax is high, the cold-pressed surface is perfectly matte with a 'fine tooth' texture, the clearing of whites in the wet processing is rapid and complete, and the gradation and smoothness of the image tones are excellent.
 
 Herschel is also intended to replace Talbot which will no longer be produced.
 

BUXTON was originally developed at the instigation of Dr Mike Ware to provide an inert paper medium to take photographic sensiters for the Platinotype  and other siderotype (iron-based) processes, which include cyanotype, argyrotype, palladiotype, and kallitype.The paper provides a dense sheet with high wet strength. 

The paper is chemically compatible with iron salt based sensitizers and is archivally sound. It is wet and dry pressed, producing a smooth surface with some tooth for easy coating with the various emulsions. 

The white paper is produced from 100% security grade cotton fibre, peroxide bleached with no optical brightening agents or alkaline buffering agents such as chalk ( calcium carbonate). 

The cotton is beaten to a high bonding strength, with only a neutral reactive internal sizing agent to ensure a good degree of impermeability. 

The handmade sheets are heavily pressed several times in both wet and dry states to reduce porosity and to create the desired surface.  The surface is lightly textured due to the impact of the felt mark derived from the woven woollen felts which are used.

 Bespoke Makings

Other sizes and weights of these papers can be made to order.  Please contact us for a quotation.

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HERSCHEL Platinotype, 200gm²

243

Contact Printing paper.  100% Linen fibre, pure white.

95lb Imperial.  Sheet size,   56 x 76 cm,  22" x 30"

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                              minimum order quantity
Quantity discounts apply
single sheet

BUXTON PLATINOTYPE 240 g/m²201

201

Photographic printing paper, 240 g/m²,  100lb Imperial.  Sheet size,   56 x 76 cm,  22" x 30"

                                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                                                               minumum order quantity

Quantity discounts apply     Limited Stocks

single sheet

HERSCHEL Platinotype, 200gm² 12 sheets

243-12

Contact Printing paper.  100% Linen fibre, pure white.

95lb Imperial.  Sheet size,   25 x 28 cms

Quantity discounts apply
single item
bn240sht

BUXTON PLATINOTYPE 240 g/m², 12 sheets

201-12
Photographic printing paper, 240 g/m²,  100lb Imperial

Sheet size,  25 x 28 cm, cut edges

Quantity discounts apply
single item

Buxton, workshop proofing sheets

We have, from time to time, sheets which on inspection are found to have imperfections which make them unsuitable for editioning.  There are minor visble faults, such as surface marks or irregularities which may effect the final image or the sheets may be of variable grammage. We offer these papers as cut sheets at a discount price for workshop trials.  Please note we cannot exchange these papers.

Buxton, Workshop Proofing, 160g/m²

012P
Platinotype proofing papers  25 x 28 cm sold in multiples of 20 sheets

Buxton, Workshop proofing 240g/m²

201P
Platinotype proofing papers  25 x 28 cm sold in multiples of 20 sheets