A non-aqueous silver precursor composition is composed of (a) one or more cellulosic polymers; (b) reducible silver ions that are present at a weight ratio to the one or more cellulosic polymers of 5:1 to 50:1; (c) an organic solvent that has a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of at least 100° C. and up to but less than 500° C.; and (d) a nitrogenous base having a pKa in acetonitrile of at least 15 and up to and including 25 at 25° C. The Hansen parameter (δTPolymer) of each cellulosic polymer is less than or equal to the Hansen parameter (δTSolvent) each organic solvent. In addition, the (d) nitrogenous base is present in an equimolar amount or molar excess in relation to the amount of (b) reducible silver ions.