T206 antecedents.Photography and Lithography behind the T206s.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by Brian-Chidester

Barry,

Nice work on the Conlon front. Have you gotten any emails about the lithography style? I'd like to know what process was used for painting the photographs. Knowing only the basics about lithography myself, I've read that it as a six-color litho process, but I also wonder about the gloss and drying process of the ink. In some T206 cards, it almost seems like the ink is under another thin layer of clear paper, because you can see the cross-lines in the eyes of the players, if you look through a magnifying glass. American Litho did one hell of a job.

I believe Ted Z has commented on this or a similar phenomena in one of the T206 Printing theory threads from the old board.

[ethicsprof]

Brian,
thanks for the interest.
Dave is correct that Ted Z has elucidated the litho process to some degree in other threads. Jamie Hull has been very helpful in this domain and can help
with bibliographic tools and even tutorial.

I have actually been spending my time on the detective work of seeking the
Conlon Type 1s which have served as the bases for T206s and find the task very slow and even more fascinating---as it is truly uncharted territory. For some reason, the photography experts and T206 experts have been fast asleep in this area---understandably so, since most everyone,including myself until recently, has had the
Hornerean preoccupation when it comes to photography and T206s.
When it comes to poses, Conlon is key,I believe. If you know of sources or
individuals who have expertise on Conlon and T206s, please let me know.

all the best,
barry

[drdduet]

Great post Barry. Yet another facet of the Monster to decode.

Maybe with enough input a t206 image reference can be created. A reference that would list all the t206 images with the photographer and original image would be fascinating. Subsets by photographer could then be pursued. This kinda stuff never gets old.

[ethicsprof]

Thanks, Darren. Like most treks into uncharted territories, it will take a long time but has the exploratory adrenaline of a first find in an old archaeological dig. And the Conlon artifact has captured me.
I must say that the framed Type 1 Conlon pictured alongside the T206 (no L.) Tannehill which my wife gave me for Christmas is now my most prized display at the office.
best,
barry

[Brian-Chidester]

With the plethora of auction catalogues offering cabinets throughout the years, it's likely that more than a few would have been offered from the Conlon lens.

To the issue of the lithography process, I've read some of Ted Z.'s old archived threads. I'm still curious about many things that might not be unique to just T206s, but maybe to the era at large. Silkscreening, color-processes and drying techniques were so incredibly durable in those days. Even thinner paper stock, such as the T213-1 cards, still hold their color ink with incredible durability.

I'd love to see a portrait today manipulated and printed with the same old equipment and technique. I think that would be a fascinating process to witness.

[ethicsprof]

Brian,
Thanks very much for the interest and information.
If you do know of catalogues that have the Conlon photos which are the bases for T206s, please let me know.
I have looked at the catalogues over the years and it was the last Legendary Auction that caught my eye with such an amazing offering of Type 1s. There was no mention of the various photos relating to the T206 cards themselves.
I must admit that I was not looking for anything in particular then noticed out of the corner of my eye that the Conlon looked remarkably like the T206 Tannehill (No L). I then examined it carefully and it was a match. Then i spent days looking at the Conlon's and found one more--the Killian. Quite exciting, I must say. Now this is 2 finds out of scores of photos in that catalogue.
Your ideas about lithography beyond the T206s yet T206 era are very interesting. Viewing the process via printing with the same equipment and technique would be quite fascinating and illuminating. Perhaps Jamie Hull will chime in and give us his reflections re:these arenas as he is our encyclopedia in this domain.
all the best,
Barry

[Brian-Chidester]

Hi Barry,

Thanks for the great response. Good luck with your quest and keep us posted.

I have only bid through the auction houses once, and actually, it was for a Horner photograph, but I didn't win. I have a few other catalogues and will look through them to see if I find anything. Martin Neal, who is a Net54 member and a collector who lives nearby, has a bunch of old catalogues, so maybe I'll hit him up and look through them. I, like yourself, am fascinated with the photographers and the process that ATC and ALC went through to produce what later became known as the T206 series.