Glass Plate Negatives Value?

[Big Six]

I think the proper question is can these glass negatives still be used to create a print? If yes, how big could that print be? 8 x 10? Larger? And, money question, would it be considered a first generation print still? Or 2nd generation...thanks!

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Big Six

I think the proper question is can these glass negatives still be used to create a print? If yes, how big could that print be? 8 x 10? Larger? And, money question, would it be considered a first generation print still? Or 2nd generation...thanks!

Yes, you can make a print. If it's a quality original neg, with good clarity and a competent photographer, you can make it almost any size you want.

Just like today, a lot depends on the equipment and the skill of the original photographer.

[steve B]

A good photo lab can make a print from a glass negative. Doing a print the same size -a contact print - is easy. Better photo labs will be able to make larger or smaller prints. It's limited mostly by their equipment. They need a holder to hold the negative in the enlarger. If they have the right holder they can make decent size prints. If it's a nice crisp negative they could enlarge it a lot. Any flaws in focus make the large prints look awful, and they may recommend against doing something like 14x20.
Some places will make a 35mm copy negative and print from that.

Steve B

Originally Posted by Big Six

I think the proper question is can these glass negatives still be used to create a print? If yes, how big could that print be? 8 x 10? Larger? And, money question, would it be considered a first generation print still? Or 2nd generation...thanks!

[drc]

The negatives should be large enough to make poster size photos if you want.

Obviously, the negative image has to be clear and sharp.

As said, you can scan them.

Most glass negatives are much larger than 35mm. Often around the size of an index card or larger. I've never heard of a 35mm glass negative.