In the early 1970s Michael Talbert had worked as a black and white/colour printer/general studio assistant for a photographer who had used Kodak bromide papers since around the time of the 1947 paper codes changeover. He had a bookcase full of old Kodak paper boxes in which he stored his negatives, some of which had both codes printed on the labels. That’s what got him interested in the old codes for paper, and he decided to find out more.

Prior to 1947, Kodak’s grading system and paper nomenclature were a complete muddle !
The grades for Velox and Bromide were different. The naming system and grades for Bromesko were different to that of Velox and Bromide. And at that time smaller packets of paper were sold by weight, not quantity. 12 sheets of quarter plate was roughly the same as 7 sheets of half plate. Larger sizes and boxes were sold in dozens and half-dozens.

Kodak VELOX paper was a very slow printing paper, producing a blue-black image, suitable for contact printing only, where the negative is placed in contact with the paper to produce a print of the same size. Kodak discontinued the manufacture of Velox paper in 1968. By way of example of its coding names, before & after 1947: Velox WVL 3 S = White Velvet Lustre, Hard, Single weight. Pre 1947: V V 3 = Velox Velvet Vigorous, single weight.

Kodak BROMIDE and BROMESKO papers were fast enlarging papers, suitable for use with any type of black and white enlarger. They could also be used for contact printing. Bromide paper gave a neutral black image, while Bromesko produced a warm-black image. Both types of paper were replaced by other enlarging papers, some with resin-coated bases, by 1982. By way of example of coding names, before & after 1947: Bromesko CFL 2 D = Cream Fine Lustre, Normal, Double weight. Pre-1947: 46 Z = Cream Lustre, Medium, Double weight.
Bromide WSM 1 S = White Smooth Matt, Soft, Single weight. Pre-1947: BBS 1 = Crayon Black, Soft, Single weight (BBS 1 = Bromide Black Smooth, 1 = soft grade). White Smooth Matt was a completely smooth dead matt paper and Crayon Black was the nearest pre-1947 equivalent surface.

NIKKO is an early trade name for Kodak Glossy Bromide paper (U.K). It is uncertain when the name Nikko dates from, but it is listed under Bromide papers in a Kodak 1923 catalogue. It is believed the name is pre-WW1, if not earlier. For example; Nikko BG2 = Bromide Glossy Grade 2 (medium) single weight.

As far as Michael Talbert can establish, the Contrast Grades for Kodak Bromide papers in the early 1940s were:
Soft = Grade 1
Medium = Grade 2
Contrast = Grade 4
Extra Contrast = Grade 5. This Grade 5 was used for negatives which were very soft, or grossly underexposed.
Grade 3 = “Vigorous”, was only made in “Velox” paper at that time and Kodak Bromesko paper had a different grading system.

Contrast Grades after 1947. Kodak changed their coding system relating to paper grades, types of paper surfaces, for Bromide, Bromesko, and Velox papers in 1947. Nikko BG2 then became Bromide WSG 2S = White, Smooth ,Glossy, 2 (Normal Grade), Singleweight. The new coding system for Bromide, Bromesko and Velox papers stated Tint, Texture, Surface, Contrast Grade No. and Weight, in that order.

Extra Soft = Grade 0; Only made in Velox Paper at this time.
Soft = Grade 1
Normal = Grade 2
Hard = Grade 3
Extra Hard = Grade 4; Only made in Velox and Bromide paper at this time.
Much later these grades were joined by an “Ultra Hard” Grade 5 and a “Special” Grade. Special Grade had a contrast between “Soft” and “Normal” and was made in glossy paper only. The code for Bromide Glossy paper was WSG 1SpecialS or WSG 1SpecialD (single weight and double weight, respectively).

In 1948-9 paper packing quantities were standardized to 10s, 25s 50s and 100s (rather than by weight or in dozens or half-dozens of sheets) and Kodak changed their system so that all surfaces and grades matched for Bromesko, Bromide and Velox papers. The coding system was e.g. Bromide, White Velvet Lustre, Normal Double Weight, WVL 2D. The pre-1947 code was BV 2Z, Bromide Velvet Medium Double Weight (the letter Z was used to indicate Double Weight).

Kodak Bromide Paper packets, BRW4-Z and BG-5
The Kodak packet with “Kodak” printed in black (left hand side image) dates from approximately the mid-1930s.
BRW4-Z = Bromide Royal White, (Contrast Grade) 4, (Double Weight) Z.

The exact date when this particular type of paper was first manufactured is uncertain, however the Kodak Professional catalogue for 1923 lists the paper as “White, Royal, (rapid)”. The description is: “a thick rough surface paper suitable for broad effects in black and white.” It is not clear from the description in the catalogue if the paper was available in different grades of contrast at that time.

The equivalent 1933 catalogue lists the paper as “Royal, White”, available in soft, medium and contrast grades. Description is: “A rapid, rough, heavy weight paper, with a natural surface, suitable for large work and for broad effects where fine detail is not essential”.

By 1940 the name of the paper had been changed to “Snow White Royal”, now with a blue-white base, in soft, medium, and contrast grades, double weight only.

After 1947, an equivalent type of Bromide paper may have been manufactured for a short time as “Bromide Royal White Rough Lustre” in double weight. The new code was WRL 2 D (normal grade), but it was also made in soft and hard grades.

By the early 1950s the paper had gone, but a rough surface type of Bromesko paper was still available in limited quantities and sizes until the early 1960s. It was known as “Bromesko, White Rough Lustre, in soft, normal and hard grades, in double weight only (WRL,1,2, or 3 D).

Kodak Bromide Paper BG-5
This illustration is the back of the image shown above.
BG-5 = Bromide Glossy, (Grade) 5 = Extra contrast.

The packet illustrated is believed to date from the early 1940s. At that time, Kodak Glossy paper was known as “Nikko”. Glossy paper could be glazed on glass or metal, to give an almost “mirror like” surface.

In 1947, Nikko BG-5 became Bromide Paper, White Smooth Glossy, Extra Hard, Single Weight.
New code: WSG 4S.

Kodak Bromide Paper BRTF2-Z
Kodak Bromide paper BRTF2-Z. Bromide Royal Tinted Fine (grain), (grade) 2 (medium), Z (double weight).

This paper is likely to date from 1947 until the early 1950s.

After 1947, most Kodak printing papers were packed in quantities of 10, 25, 50, and 100 sheets in boxes or packets. Before this time, small sizes of paper were graded by weight and larger sizes were packed in multiples of a dozen.

The paper has an extremely fine grain matt surface with a yellow base. Medium grade was for printing with normal contrast negatives.

The image alongside is the front of the BRTF-2Z packet shown above.

The original packaging quantity and size have been over-printed.

The packet was originally intended to hold 6 sheets of 11½" x 8½" paper at the pre-1947 quantity of ½ dozen (i.e 6) sheets. It was then changed at some point to a different size, 10" x 8", with the new 10 sheet quantity rating.

This particular type of Bromide paper was sold in the late 1940s in boxes and packets printed with the red and black vertical line design. The sealing label and paper variety code were never changed to the new coding system (see picture, below, of Bromide box coded BRSWF2-Z.)

Picture of Bromesko IFL3D and Bromide IFL2D
The Bromesko box (left hand side) dates from 1947 to possibly 1953. The yellow background for “IFL3D” (IFL = Ivory Fine Lustre) was changed to purple in the early 1950s.

The brown/grey boxes were gradually replaced by yellow boxes (right hand side image) during the 1950s.

The red and black vertical line design dates from 1947, although the same design was already being printed onto American Eastman Kodak black and white photographic paper boxes prior to 1947. The vertical line design lasted until the end of the 1950s. The wording was changed underneath “Open in Photographic Darkroom” on the later packaging dating from the late 1950s.

The Bromide IFL2D box dates from approximately 1953 to 1958. Michael believes 1953 was the year that Kodak London introduced the yellow packaging for their black and white printing papers. The red and black vertical line design was changed to two offset rectangles, “Kodak” and “Photographic Paper”, in 1959 (see picture below).

In the 1950s and 1960s, Kodak Bromide paper was generally made with a white base. The “Fine Lustre” surface was the only surface in the Bromide range made with an Ivory tinted base. By 1969, the Ivory tinted paper was no longer sold in the Bromide range of papers, although Kodak continued to make Bromesko Ivory Fine Lustre paper until the mid 1970s.

Three boxes of Kodak paper dating from 1959 to the early 1960s.

The middle box with the early type of sealing label dates from 1959 to approximately 1961. The Postcard boxes of Bromesko paper (left and right hand sides) with the new design of sealing label date from 1961 to 1965.

The left hand box contained Bromesko paper with a “Cream” paper base colour. Cream Fine Lustre, Normal, Doubleweight.

“Cream” was of a reddish brown colour, and gave a very warm toned print with a brown black. “Cream” based paper was most suitable for portraits and summer landscapes. Kodak (U.K.) discontinued making Cream base paper in 1967.

Picture of Bromesko WSG3S and Bromide BRSWF2Z
The Bromesko 10 sheet packet (left hand side) dates from 1947 and is unusual in that the printing is only in black. It may pre-date the red and black printing, such as on the Bromesko IFL 3D box in the photograph above.

The Kodak Bromide paper 100 sheet box has a sealing label which was in use prior to 1947, although the box dates from 1947 onwards. In that year Kodak London introduced a new coding system for their Bromide, Bromesko and Velox papers stating Tint, Texture, Surface, Contrast Grade No. and Weight, in that order.

In the Bromide range of printing papers at least 10 different surfaces and tints were labeled with the new codes. Another two, not included in the 10, were to keep their old codes and the boxes and packets were sealed with the previous pre-1947 labels – such as shown on this box.

BRSWF 2Z – translates as Bromide, Royal, Snow, White, Fine (grain), 2 (grade), Z (Double Weight).
The other surface which was never labeled with a new code was:
BRTF 2Z, being Bromide, Royal, Tinted, Fine (grain), 2 (grade). Z (Double Weight). Michael believes that these two varieties of Bromide paper were short-lived. Neither are mentioned in a 1951 list of Bromide papers.

In July 1953, Harringay Photographic Supplies, surplus photo material dealers, had a half page 'spread' in “Amateur Photographer” magazine offering for sale “Kodak Royal Bromide“ papers in both the above surfaces. Four paper sheet sizes, plus rolls, were listed at vastly reduced prices. It is likely that the paper would have been out of date by 1953.

Picture of sealing labels of various Bromide and Bromesko papers.

For a time after 1947, most Kodak Bromide and Bromesko papers carried labels with both the new codes and the old codes relating to the various surfaces. This picture shows three of these labels.

The Bromide box at the top states the new code as WSM1S – White Smooth Matt, 1 (grade) S (Single Weight). The label shows that, pre 1947, it was known as - Bromide Crayon Black, Soft, Single Weight. The old code gives it as BBS 1 - Bromide Black Smooth 1 (grade).

The “Smooth” is added to differentiate this particular surface between “Crayon Black Natural” and “Crayon Black Rough”, two surfaces of Bromide paper sold pre-1947.

The Bromesko papers prior to 1947 were coded by numbers.

44 was Glossy Medium Grade; 64 was Glossy Contrast Grade. If the paper had been “soft”, (Grade 1 ), the code would have been 24. The first number denoted the Grade, and the second number denoted the surface/tint. The “Z” denoted Double Weight.

Pre-1947, Bromesko Cream Lustre, Soft, Double Weight had the code 27 Z
After 1947, the same paper was known as Bromesko Cream Fine Lustre, Soft, Double Weight: CFL 1 D.

Velox Paper
Kodak VELOX paper was a very slow printing paper, producing a blue-black image, suitable for contact printing only, where the negative is placed in contact with the paper to produce a print of the same size. The negative to be printed was placed on top of the emulsion side of the paper, in contact with it. Special printing frames were made which held the negative and paper in close contact under a piece of glass. The exposure was made by holding the printing frame up to a bright tungsten light, or daylight, for a few seconds. The paper was then developed, fixed and washed to produce a contact print with a slightly bluish black image.

Velox Paper was first manufactured by Dr. L. H. Baekeland in 1894. It was a slow, silver chloride paper which could be handled before exposure under weak electric light or yellow gaslight. In a photographic darkroom it could be handled under a bright yellow safelight. It later became known as “Gaslight” or “Contact “ paper. In 1899 George Eastman of the Kodak company bought the Velox process from Dr. Baekeland, and started to manufacture Velox paper in the U.S.A.

Kodak made a Safelight filter specially for Velox paper, the Wratten Series OO. It was bright yellow, but much too bright for Kodak Bromide papers. Kodak Bromide papers were about 100 times faster than Velox paper and, although Bromide paper could be used for contact printing, Velox paper was useless for making enlargements. However, in the 1950s, certain types of Velox paper were manufactured specifically for making En-prints using enlarging equipment, such as “Projection Velox paper”, but the speed of the paper never matched Bromide paper.

Kodak Limited, London were still making Velox paper for contact printing in small sizes until the late 1960s. It was finally discontinued in 1968.

VV-3, Velox Velvet, (Grade) 3 Vigorous.
VG-3 Velox Glossy, (Grade) 3 Vigorous.

The left hand packet of VV-3 dates from the 1940s, with “Kodak” printed in red. The right hand packet is slightly older and gives a good example of the paper being sold by weight, hence resulting in the odd quantity of 17 sheets in the packet !

”Velvet” had a slight surface texture with a very slight gloss finish. The “vigorous” grade was for printing with soft, low contrast negatives.

The “Velox” coding system before 1947 is believed to have been similar to the Kodak Bromide paper codes.

By 1947, VV-3 became known as “Velox, White, Velvet, Lustre, 3 (hard grade) single weight”. Code: WVL 3 S
VG-3 became known as ”Velox, White, Smooth, Glossy, 3 (hard grade) single weight”. Code: WSG 3 S.

It is not known if the “Vigorous” Grade (pre-1947) was the same as the contrast of the new “Hard” Grade (post-1947).

By way of example of its coding names, before & after 1947: Velox WVL 3 S = White Velvet Lustre, Hard, Single weight. Pre 1947: V V 3 = Velox Velvet Vigorous, single weight.

The “Velvet” surface lasted until the early 1970s, and was then replaced by “White, Semi-Matt“. Code: WSemi-M.
White, Semi-Matt was available in Bromide, Bromesko and, at that time, the new Veribrom resin coated black and white papers. The two surfaces were not identical.

Velox WVL (Velvet), was replaced by “White, Smooth, Lustre, (WSL), in the late 1950s. “Smooth Lustre” surface was devoid of any texture and had a shiny appearance, much like an unglazed glossy print. The surface was very similar, but not identical to, the later Kodak “N” surface, mainly used for colour printing papers and known as “Lustre”.

In the 1950s and early 1960s, Velox paper was also available in certain small continental sizes in “Cream Smooth Glossy (CSG), singleweight,” in as many as five contrast grades ranging from “Extra Soft”, (Grade 0) to “Ultra Hard”, (Grade 5). Oddly enough, the paper was not sold in Grade 4, “Extra Hard”.

WSL and CSG lasted, as best Michael knows, until 1963. Then only the “White, Smooth, Glossy“ surface remained until the manufacture of Velox paper ceased in 1968.

For a time after 1947, most Kodak Bromide, Bromesko, and Velox papers carried labels with both the new codes and the old codes relating to the various surfaces. The picture alongside shows a Velox label of this type.

Velox WSG 1.S, = white smooth glossy (Grade) 1, Single Weight
previously known as Velox Glossy SW Soft = VG 1.

Michael Talbert started making colour prints in 1969, using Kodak Ektacolor Commercial paper. He was a photographic colour printer in the 1970s, printing colour negatives mainly onto Agfacolor paper. He also had experience using about 10 types of Kodak paper, plus other makes, Gevacolor, Fuji, Paterson, Konica.

Michael now sets up and takes “Retro” fashion pictures, but prints them digitally.