Old photographic paper

[Miles_SLR]

I am cleaning out a house that has boxes of old photographic paper. The boxes I’ve checked have sealed packages. Only two of the boxes have expiration dates 1976 and 1977. Many of the boxes are newer.

I’d like to know if any of it is usable or should it be discarded? If any of it is usable, we’d like to give it to someone who could use it.

1 – Fotorite FPT Projection Speed AGFA Gevaert (5 x 7)
2 – Foto/tone RB Project Speed Rapid Process
3 - Kodak Photographic Paper F/MW Polycontrast Rapid RE Exp 3/76
4 – Kodak Bromide F4
5 – Kodak Kodachrome RC paper N Hard MW Medium Weight– Exp 3/77
6 – Kodak Polycontrast F Medium Weight 12/78
7 – Luminos Resin Coated Bromide RD Rapid Dry Instant High Gloss White Contrast 4
8 – Luminos Contrast 3 Bromide RD
9 – Luminos Contrast 2 Bromide RD RD Instant High Gloss (5 x 7)
10 – Rapidoprint Single Weight AGFA Gevaert FP1 H 4 Contrast – 100 sheets
11 - Spiratone Rapid Stabilization Enlarging Paper Single Weight Glossy
SW GL –2: 8 boxes 100 sheets
SW GL –3: 1 box 100 sheets

[COLOR=DarkRed]I’m in the Chicago area and, if any of the above is useable, it would be free to whoever wants to pick it up[/COLOR].

[nlochner]

If I am correct, most paper dosn't age very well, especially color. Things get very unstable, and not usable, but i could be wrong. It's worth a try, afterall, all that paper must of cost a lot. Is all that paper b&w?, because i recognize Kodak Polycontrast as a black and white paper.

[Samuel B]

At a guess I'd say that colour or B&W paper from the 70's would be totally useless by now. I have used colour paper that was about 5 years old and it was a waste of time.

No harm in trying it out though I suppose.

[jd callow]

This paper appears to be black and white. My understanding is that b&W paper can have a long shelf life.

I've merged both threads to the B&W section...

And Welcome Miles!