How to expose very old glass plates?

[wupdigoj]

Hello. I have inherited from a deceased relative, along with a lot of darkroom equipment, a box with glass plates or at least I suppose they are from the weight of the box. The box is still unopened and looks very old. The format seems to be 6x13 cm which I think it is rather unusual.
I would like to make the plates to fulfill its destiny, that is I would like to expose them. But I don't know:
- If the plates are too old to get any image from them.
- The sensibility I should use. I presume rather low, perhaps 3 or 6 ISO??.
- The developer to use to minimize the veil.
What's your opinion about these points?.
Thanks in advance

Javier

[Attila]

Keep as collector item , don't try to develop any of them in my opinion.
Research first receipt how can you make emulsion on glass and how can you develop it. If you want to play , play with fresh thing and if you are experienced as well and you still very curious try the old stuff. This is valuable thing even if you got for next to nothing. This is first time when I seen undeveloped one. Look vintage stores , Ebay for receipts I have one but written in Hungarian so not much help to you. I know locally an old man who still make own emulsion on glass , shoot with wooden box and make contact print from 18x24cm glass result is awesome. Friend of mine told to me , perhaps I have to take a course at this old man and preserve his secrets.

[visualopsins]

+1 Attila said

I'm reading The History of Photography by Fred Spira (Spiratone) illustrated with photos of items in his extensive collection, shows some boxes of plates like these from 1899-1900. He had MANY of them and did try a few with good result.

Imho, based on my reading of that book, these ~6x13cm plates are likely for producing two images per plate for stereo view. Some of the stereo cameras could also expose one image over the whole plate, by replacing two lenses with one, or make two separate images per plate.

[wupdigoj]

Thank you Attila and visualopsins. I think I will follow your hint and will keep it as is although I don't consider myself as a collector.

Javier

[mmelvis]

If you want to make your own glass plates you have a few options

For a complete Kit you can look here
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/c108-Alternative-Process-Liquid-Emulsion

For some real slow film on paper you can make at home, look at the cyanotype-rex process for exposure times of 60 seconds to 5 minutes depending on light intensity

http://www.hands-on-pictures.com/Tutorials/Cyanotype.html
http://unblinkingeye.com/Articles/Cyano/cyano.html

A few more options
http://www.freestylephoto.biz/c102-Alternative-Process-Alternative-Process-Kits

Keep your glass plates for display purpose

[Attila]

[wupdigoj]

I have offered the plates to a museum devoted to photographic items, not far from my home. I think this could be a proper place for it.

http://www.photomuseum.es/ (only spanish (Es) and basque (Eu), sorry)

I don't really fancy to have an item which is of no use, apart from seeing it. I have many cameras, many quiet old, and one of them nearly 100 years old, but I use all of them regularly. I would never keep a camera I couldn't shoot with. If they don't want the item I suppose I will sell it or offer it to a real collector.

Javier

[Attila]

Nice idea, best place for them in a museum for sure. I like to use all equipments for sure too.