Does anyone know if Centennial POP is still in production? Kentmere does not have it on their website any more and I cannot find any suppliers who have it in 8x10. It seems like they're just selling remaining stock.

Anyone know what the status is? It's a great paper and I would sure hate to see it disappear. Hopefully, I'm worried for nothing. Thanks.

Does anyone know if Centennial POP is still in production? Kentmere does not have it on their website any more and I cannot find any suppliers who have it in 8x10. It seems like they're just selling remaining stock.

Anyone know what the status is? It's a great paper and I would sure hate to see it disappear. Hopefully, I'm worried for nothing. Thanks.
Try the Chicago Albumen Works.

http://www.albumenworks.com/

CAW is not selling it any more, either. :(

If I'm not mistaken, Kentmere was making it, but it's not listed on their website any more. Even Bostick & Sullivan only have 11x14 and say that 8x10 is back-ordered.

Try Retrophotographic (www.retrophotographic.com) or Silverprint (http://www.silverprint.co.uk/) in the UK. They usually stock it.

I don't think it's ever been listed on the Kentmere website as it was made specifically for CAW, I think Kentmere only produced one batch a year, so as manufacture is being moved to Ilford's Moberley site you'll have to see what happens and if they make another batch.

Ian

Retrophotographic and Silverprint both have been advertising they have the fresh stock of the year in at the moment (at least that's what they say in their adverts in uk's B&W Photography magazine).

so as manufacture is being moved to Ilford's Moberley site you'll have to see what happens and if they make another batch.

Ian

Ian - is that really happening? I understood Harman said they would be keeping both sites running as they were before the takeover?

You've not been visiting APUG enough Leon :D There were a lot of inaccurate rumours, mainly from Europe, Simon Galley has posted what's actually happening here (http://www.apug.org/forums/561890-post124.html).

While it's shame to see any factory close with an ensuing loss of jobs it must also make economic sense to have all manufacturing at one site. With Ilford also manufacturing the new Bergger B&W papers, which are due for release this month (according to the Bergger website) it might make sense to have Kentmere's smaller coating plant at Mobberely, but that's just my guess.

Ian

You've not been visiting APUG enough Leon :D

that's very true Ian - thanks for the link.

Hello All,

Sorry, I don't really post too much here. However, I called CAW in Mass about this as I am dependent on the product.

The answer I got was to check back with the website every week as they are figuring out an emulsion error.

Thus, it seems they are trouble shooting some QC issues. Strangely, I was comforted by this.

Attempted to order some from Silverprint a couple of days ago. They were out of their smaller size (9.5 x 12) and could not say when they were getting any more...

Jack

The latest batch of Centennial POP we received has an odd coating issue. We are also waiting to hear from CAW as to the likelihood of continued production. Apparently the entire run of POP has the problem, which means it will probably be 2-3 months before any is available on the North American continent. Sorry, folks!

573896....
Thus, it seems they are trouble shooting some QC issues. Strangely, I was comforted by this.

That is comforting in an odd way. They wouldn't bother trouble shooting a dead product, I wouldn't think. I would be seriously depressed if this paper went away. I will buy a bunch when it does come available again. I'm sure I can freeze it.

That is comforting in an odd way. They wouldn't bother trouble shooting a dead product, I wouldn't think. I would be seriously depressed if this paper went away. I will buy a bunch when it does come available again. I'm sure I can freeze it.

I was under the impression that it doesnt freeze. It doesnt keep at all well - my last batch (from summer) has gone off, blue blotches and so on (I made the mistake of stocking up in two sizes, and not using the larger ones until later).

Need to make my own, and some more albumen paper.

Chicago albumen works says refrigeration or freezing is recommended for long term storage.

http://www.albumenworks.com/directions.html

Thanks, everyone. It is a Kentmere product according to the CAW website so there could be issues with QC and moving production as several people pointed out. When it is available, I will definitely lay in a supply of it and freeze it as CAW recommends, rather than take a chance on losing it. Sounds like several of us are thinking along the same lines!

Thanks again to all who responded. :)

I inquired with Kentmere last June. This is the reply I got from Melanie Wilson. It may be helpful, but could be superseded by recent developments.

qoute:

Dear Sir / Madam

Thank you for your recent enquiry. Please be advised that we produce the
Printing Out Paper annually normally during January - March. In addition
to Chicago Albumen, there are a number of distributors that we produce
this for within Europe, however in 2007, the distributors were mainly
based in the UK. I have provided details of some of the distributors who
purchased this in 2007, so that you may contact them and enquire on
stock availability.

Silverprint (UK) +44 207 6200844
Retro Photographics (UK) +44 1869 240345
Foto Riegler (Austria) +43 747261809

It would be worthwhile contacting me in January 2008 when we commence
our next production of POP as we would be able to advise you then if we
were in a position to issue some directly to you or advise you of the
nearest stockist / distributor to you.

Kind regards

Melanie Wilson - Sales Office Manager
>Kentmere Photographic Limited
Tel: + 44 (0) 1539 821365
Mobile: + 44 (0) 7941 347767
Fax: + 44 (0) 1539 821399

unquote

Friends,

Just saw on the Bostick & Sullivan website that expected availability for Centennial POP is May 2009. :(

Guess we won't be using this one for awhile!

At Silverprint we have a small amount of 8x10" & 12x16" POP, but don't expect this will last long.

It seems Harman are still investigating the manufacturing options, and a strong possibility is a last large batch being made at the Staveley (Kentmere) factory before moving manufacturing to Mobberley. Test makings for this last production run are being made at the moment, and assuming the main making goes ahead, if you need it lay some stock in!

Harman are committed to keep the POP in production. However as it is many decades since an 'Ilford' POP was produced, setting up to make one on a new site, even with existing formulations is complex and will take time to get it right. It's a very tricky product, at Staveley the climatic conditions were an important factor, even the barometric pressure, so moving it 80 miles south to a new coating environment presents big problems.

...
Harman are committed to keep the POP in production. However as it is many decades since an 'Ilford' POP was produced, setting up to make one on a new site, even with existing formulations is complex and will take time to get it right. It's a very tricky product, at Staveley the climatic conditions were an important factor, even the barometric pressure, so moving it 80 miles south to a new coating environment presents big problems.
Though I suspect it may cost more than the 5/- plus 3d postage (five shillings and thruppence in all) per gross (144 sheets) of Cabinet size paper cost in 1897...

Bob.

Though I suspect it may cost more than the 5/- plus 3d postage (five shillings and thruppence in all) per gross (144 sheets) of Cabinet size paper cost in 1897...

Bob.

I suspect that adjusted for inflation etcetera it will only cost a small fraction of what it did in 1897. :)

thanks for the update

Small update, the last makings of POP at Staveley have already taken place, and the entire production run is destined for Chicago Albumen Co. Other dealers lower down the pecking order will not get stock from this last making.

Small update, the last makings of POP at Staveley have already taken place, and the entire production run is destined for Chicago Albumen Co. Other dealers lower down the pecking order will not get stock from this last making.

Thats a bit annoying!

Thats a bit annoying!

received this reply from harman on 19 march 2008. (the apology is for not realizing kentmere was now under harman's).

Bob

I apologize, we at HARMAN are only gradually becoming knowledgeable on the complete line of Kentmere products. There was a batch of POP paper produced at the Kentmere factory prior to shutdown and this product will be finished exclusively for Chicago Albumen over the next several weeks. You should contact Chicago Albumen directly for availability.

Ongoing supply of this product will be determined as the Kentmere products go into production at the HARMAN technology factory in Mobberley

I talked with CAW last week. The next run of POP is expected sometime in May. Robert