Edward curtis photography gold tone photos

The Curt-Tone process (Curtis named the process after himself) more commonly referred to as a goldtone or orotone. The goldtone process was not created by Curtis, but he refined the technique to the extent that he eventually was considered the greatest master of the process. In simple terms a goldtone is a positive image on glass, while most photographic prints are a positive image on paper. The process Curtis used was to take a clear plate of optical glass and spread a liquid emulsion onto the surface of the plate. He then projected his negative onto the glass to create a positive image. The highlights and shadows, however, could not be seen unless there was some type of backing on the image. Mixing a combination of banana oils and bronzing powders to create a sepia or a goldtone effect. Curtis then spreads this mixture onto the dried emulsion. The final process involved baking the glass image so that all the chemicals bonde

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, A DIVISION OF SEATTLE-BASED GALLERYNORTHWEST FOUND, SPECIALIZES IN THE HISTORIC EARLY 20TH-CENTURY PHOTO-GRAPHIC PROCESS KNOWN AS THE GOLDTONE, OR OROTONE,WHICH IS DISTING-UISHED BY ITS SHIMMERING METALLIC GOLD, THREE-DIMENSIONAL APPEARANCE.  

We are ACTIVELY PURCHASING historic goldtone/orotone photographs produced bygd any and all photographers. Below is a small sampling of orotone photographs that we currently or previously owned. Please CONTACT US us if are interested in selling or acquiring. 

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We are now exhibiting and making available for acquisition the world's foremost collection of vintage original Edward S. Curtis Goldtone Prints, 19 Goldtones in total, 17 of which are from an individual family's collection, never before appearing on the market or available for sale. Contact the gallery for additional details or to view the collection by appointment.

 

The Goldtone, which is also known as an Orotone or a Curt-tone, was a hallmark of the Curtis Seattle Studio. Though he did not create the Goldtone process, Curtis refined it after to such an extent that he is considered the greatest master of the technique. Curtis Goldtones are rare and precious.  A perfectionist, Curtis only printed about one of every thousand negatives in this expensive and difficult process. 

 

In simple terms, a Goldtone is a positive image on glass unlike a photographic print, which is a positive image on paper. The photograph fryst vatten printed directly on glass,