Revere Platinum - WINNING!

[Kerik]

OK, time for some GOOD paper news for a change. Dana sent me a few sheets of the Revere Platinum 145 and 300 GSM papers to try out. Finally had a chance to make a couple of quick prints today. I haven't calibrated my QTR negs for this paper yet, but that's coming soon. It looks like we're going to have 2 new kick ass papers to use for pt/pd very soon. Both papers are very smooth with a pleasing tooth to the surface and render fine details very well. The heavier paper is very stiff and mellows out some after processing, but is still stiff. It drys very flat. One side is smoother than the other and that's the side I printed on. Both of these papers have a very interesting surface as they both show a bit of sheen when dried. The prints almost look like they've been waxed or Liquitexed. I haven't tried either of these techniques on these papers yet as I rarely use them. Both papers coat beautifully with a Magic Brush. I added a couple drops of 10% Tween 20 for 8x10 prints. I don't know if it's necessary, but it didn't hurt. The thinner paper wants to curl up when it's coated, so you'll want to nail (or tape) it down before you coat and leave it that way til you've dried it some. After coating I let the paper sit for a couple minutes, then placed it under a cool fan and finished off with a hair drier. The whole drying process took just a few minutes. And now for the good stuff (drum roll please):


Self Portrait 4/15/11



I know you can only tell so much from scans, but these prints are nice. The only reflection densitometer that I have are the two located just below my forehead. The gave me a density reading of RFB (Really F*cking Black). It easily matches the black of (good) Platine or COT. Again, I haven't created QTR curves for these papers yet, so these negs may not be optimum, but the prints look good. The papers cleared easily in Citric Acid followed by Permawash. In warm potassium oxalate the papers give a wonderful warm brown tone with pure palladium. I forgot to test for fogging, but will do that soon, too. Both papers shrunk about 1/32 of an inch over a length of about 8 inches, so pre-shrinking will be necessary for muti-hit process like gum over platinum. I think the 300 paper is going to make a great gumover paper and the surface is so smooth and hard it may not even need sizing.

All in all, two thumbs way up. This is some good sh*t! I call dibs on the first 25 full sized sheets of each! A caveat, these two prints are the only things I've done with this paper so far. With a little luck, I hope to use it in a workshop in 2 weeks.

[Davec]

Thats is indeed good news, thanks for the paper review, any word on pricing, also what size are the full sheets. Interesting you mention the sheen, i find that Cot 320 compared to Platine has a slight sheen, i always thought that it was beacuse of the gelatine in Cot 320

[bob carnie]

RFB , now thats the best line I have heard this year!!

We are going to try this paper here in Toronto with some of the others.


shit I can't stop laughing ,, good one.

[R Shaffer]

Very cool. With this new paper and the Hershel paper from Ruscombe, it's a good time to be an alt printer.

& I'm with Bob on the RFB, new alt vernacular to go with the new paper.

Any opinions on what's up with all this attention being focused upon us?

[Marek Warunkiewicz]

Who stocks this, Kerik?

Thanks!

Marek

[Colin Graham]

Talas has it on their website, not sure if it's actually in stock yet though-

Talas - Magnani Platinum Paper

[clay]

GREAT news. Dana, get ready for my call.

[Dana Sullivan]

The Revere Platinum is manufactured by Magnani, but it will have a Revere watermark. I'm not sure why Talas is confused.

The boat is not in port yet, but I suspect it'll be here this week. East coast will see it about 5-7 days before I get my shipment. I will be priced a bit lower than Talas.

[Colin Graham]

T
The boat is not in port yet, but I suspect it'll be here this week. East coast will see it about 5-7 days before I get my shipment. I will be priced a bit lower than Talas.

Looking forward to trying it, but hey what's another week. Would you mind posting an update when you have it in stock?

[Marek Warunkiewicz]

Thanks Dana! Look forward to ordering some from you.

Marek