Letter to Collectors (darkroom prints)

Dear Collector- Although you may already be well aware of the most important considerations in handling and storing gelatin silver photographs, I always like to mention a few points to those purchasing my work, and to answer some frequently asked questions. General guidelines: 1) store or exhibit the photographs in a cool, dry place 2) handle the prints as little as possible 3) use cotton gloves, and both hands, when picking up a print 4) do not place a print in direct sunlight for any extended period 5) do not mount or frame with non-archival adhesive in contact with the prints My fiber prints are selenium toned, resulting in warm, rosy hues in some of the dark or shadow areas. This toning may not have been evident in the reproductions you have seen, but it is done to all my exhibition and collector's prints to increase archival soundness and to add depth and richness to the images. The unevenness of the toning is intentional, and no two prints will ever be toned exactly alike. I make my prints with large border areas to (1) protect the image area from handling damage, and (2) to guard against deterioration of the image area due to natural aging (any sign of aging, even in archivally processed prints, will begin at the edges of the paper.) The notations on the back of the print reflect the date the image was made (negative date) and the date that particular print was completed (signing date). The title of the image contains the model's name and my negative reference number. The 16x20 prints are marked with an edition number from 1 to 25. The 11x14 prints are marked with an edition number from 1 to 50. The 8x10 prints (beginning in 2003) are also marked with an edition number from 1 to 50. The lower right corner of the front of each 11x14 and 16x20 print is embossed with my seal, the appearance of which varies from year to year. Since my work is hand printed and toned in a multiple step process, each print is unique, and no two prints of the same image will be identical. Your print(s) may appear darker, lighter, or in some other way different from other prints you may own, or reproductions you've seen. Such variations are normal; however, if you are dissatisfied with the appearance of any print, please contact me immediately and I will make arrangements to replace it. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. With best wishes, Craig Morey   Reproduction rights: The copyright to all images is retained by the photographer, and no usage rights are granted for fine art prints. Prints are sold for private collection and private exhibition only, and may not be otherwise used or reproduced in any manner without permission from Craig Morey, his agents or assigns. Public exhibition or publication of these images without permission is specifically prohibited, including but not limited to galleries, museums, books, magazines, catalogs, brochures, cards, film, video, and digital media of any type. Documentary reproduction of prints is permitted for insurance purposes only.