Selenium, negative intensifier and curves

Dan Quinn wrote:

Tom Phillips wrote

I don't know why you would want an arbitary increase in
density otherwise obtained through normal exposure and
development, though.


Probably because some negatives to be printed are not ideal.
I've negatives from the 30s and some of my own from the 60s,
which for sure will need something.

What I interpreted the OP as asking about (I could be
reading wrong) was obtaining normal contrast curves from
toned negatives, i.e., proportional negative density increase
overall. Anyway for me the only reasons to tone negatives is
to either improve the local print contrast from individual
negatives (intensify) or archivally tone all negatives
arbitrarily.

What I'd like to know is if I intensify with selenium will
it work well with generations old negatives.

I don't see why not, as long as there's silver for the selenium
to bond with. Would certainly improve their long term stability.