Deciphering a Kodak No1 2 Factory Print

[David Kastoryano]

This is the reverse of a Kodak factory print from no later than 1889. I am trying to decipher the codes used and would appreciate any suggestions - however determined - as to their possible meaning. This image was produced in the US. They may be annotations familiar to collectors or photo specialists.

[Paul Godfrey]

David,

The number “4322” on the lower right hand side, that is not straight. Suggests this was applied using a numbering stamp by the person making the print or prints. All prints in that order or film, had that same number along with the ticket that accompanied the order. Prints would become muddled during the processing and washing of single sheets of paper. Once dry, the prints could be sorted out as to which prints belonged to a particular order by grouping them up using this number. 

This method of print numbering survived until the 1950s when automatic printers became available to photofinishers. Once automatic printers arrived, prints were processed and dried in rolls and only the first and last print in each order would have been numbered. The number would also have been straight rather than at a slight angle as in your example. 

I have no idea what the other numbers signify.

Best wishes

Paul. 

[Nicholas John Burnett]

I often see annotations like this on the back of artworks and photographs that have been removed from frames.  Sometimes it is possible to work out their meaning, other times they remain unknown.  

The marks can include:

• job numbers,
• an abbreviated description of picture moulding(s) selected or a code for the picture moulding(s),
• measurements for the mount,
• a code for the position of the picture when a group of photos are being mounted together (sometimes TL, TR, BL, BR or A, B, C, D for example).
• the client's name, occasionally with the first line of the address,
• a day to signify the deadline.
• the agreed price.

Most of these clearly don't apply in this case. 

It is possible that the marks were made on more than one occasion - perhaps the stamped mark may be from Kodak with the pencil marks being later.

Not sure how much help this is.

Nicholas Burnett